Air Travel Finder Royal Jordanian Airlines

Music leaders leave a legacy in community

A few notes from the world of music and make believe:

● Bob Bray has stepped down after more than 40 years as the director of the Fayette Star Cornet Band.

He announced his retirement at the 50th Annual Roanoke Concert and Ice Cream Social, where Bob had conducted the July get-together since 1968.

Bob, a native of Louisiana, Mo., and a graduate of Central Methodist University, directed last month’s Roanoke concert until intermission and then announced, “My body is telling me it is time to quit.” Battling diabetes, he finds it difficult to stand for long periods.

He turned over the baton to Jordan Perry, the Moberly band director, for the second half but returned to conduct the traditional closing number, “Evening Shadows.”

The end of an era.

● Four years ago, I wrote a column about “The master of the abyss — Alex Innecco.” He told the tale of a series of life’s journeys that took him to the edge of the abyss of life but never over it and into never-never land.

Since that column, Alex has given strength and guidance to the Columbia Chorale and presented Columbia with the 9th Street Philharmonic Orchestra, an eight-month winter series that often filled the Missouri United Methodist Church, where Alex was minister of music.

The series quickly became Columbia’s most popular classical music offering, almost totally because of Alex’s charisma.

Now Alex has returned to his native Brazil. He left with little warning or explanation, as if the abyss was calling. A man does what he must do.

His role as director of the Columbia Chorale will be filled, and his absence will be felt, but the chorale’s future remains bright.

The 9th Street Philharmonic is a different story. The orchestra was his personal promotion. He was the chief cook and bottle washer. There are no plans for the future because the planner is gone. There’s a chance one of the orchestra members will attempt to reorganize, but as of earlier this week, nothing had been done.

Ol’ Clark wishes Alex well as his future unfolds. We thank him for his time in Columbia, making our city a better place for the great music he gave us.

● Ground has been turned for the new Maplewood Barn Community Theatre, with the Columbia Parks and Recreation Department replacing the century-old structure that burned 16 months ago.

The operation of the theater is not the financial responsibility of Parks and Recreation. That liability belongs to the barn’s board of directors and eventually to you and me. It will take donations and season ticket sales to make it happen.

Premium Travel News: Malaysia Airlines to join Oneworld Alliance

"We warmly welcome Malaysia Airlines to the one world alliance. For Finnair, Malaysia Airlines' joining of the alliance will mean for a denser network of destinations in Asia and will also provide excellent support to our new Singapore route by increasing the number of onward connections for our business passengers," says Paavo Virkkunen , Finnair's Vice President responsible for one world relations. In addition to Finnair, the members of the one world alliance are American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Iberia, Japan Airlines, LAN, Malév Hungarian Airlines, Mexicana, Qantas, Royal Jordanian and S7 as well as around 20 subsidiaries. The Indian airline Kingfisher and the German airline airberlin will join the alliance during 2011.

OAG business travel planner, the official guide to lodging and travel related services

OAG travel planner, hotel & motel redbook, the official lodging directory of the American Hotel & Motel Association

Business travel planner, North America

The Christian Travel Planner

Official airline guide, international edition