Letters to the Editor for Sept. 23, 2009

The woman behind the concerts

Mrs. Dru Carpenter has recently stepped down as the president of the Baker Community Concert Association. While in that position she did an outstanding job providing leadership to the board. Through Community Concerts, Dru brought many fine concerts to Baker over the past 10 years and spent countless hours doing all of the little things that make an organization run smoothly. She is a great example of the fact that one person can make a difference in the lives of all their neighbors.

I have always been amazed at the quality of the performers that have graced the stage at Baker High School and have touched the young people of Baker with their outreaches, master classes and clinics.

When the Oregon Symphony came to the Baker School District for the community music partnership, Dru and the other members of the community concert board stepped forward to help with all the details that made that program a success. She has continued that partnership by bringing groups of Oregon Symphony musicians back to Baker each year.

She also reached out to me and has involved the music students from Baker High School in many great concerts. Dru is still very involved in the Baker Community Concert Association but wishes to devote most of her time to running the foundation in memory of her son, Randy Carpenter, a fireman who died in the line of duty.

Thanks so much Dru and Wayne, for all you have done for the arts in Baker.

Jeff Sizer,

On behalf of the Baker Community

Concert Association’s board members