Staff
Allison Halerz
Volunteers
Rosemary Bergin
I am one who can still remember the Great Depression as I was there in person. I went to school in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and was in the Women’s Army Corps in the mid-forties, then got my degree from the University of Michigan. I taught most of the next twenty-five to thirty years, as well as raised a family.
On retiring, I decided to do some volunteering, as I had been too busy before to do much other than Church things. I chose Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic and Meals on Wheels as service. After attending a few concerts at Kerrytown Concert House and seeing Deanna (Founder and Director) vacuuming the carpet post concert, I inquired whether or not they needed a volunteer. She was delighted by my offer, took me on, and Thursdays became my day. That was June of 1986, and I have been a fixture here ever since.
KCH has been my food-for-the-soul undertaking, my selfish weekly opportunity to become aware of and a part of the side of music-making which audience members rarely know about.
I have met performers, heard them practice, heard their laughter and thrilled to experience their gifts. I have relished the performer/audience relationship which does not happen in most concert halls and been delighted and edified by what I have learned.
Most of all I have enjoyed knowing the great staff at the House, being accepted as a participant in any way I could be-addressing envelopes, washing wine glasses, keeping the historical records of the House goings on (we have all come to call me the archivist), poured wine on occasion etc. I told Deanna early on that I would even do windows if necessary…and I meant it.
Having such good friends at the House, the music I have heard here and the audiences with whom I have share extraordinary music, have made Thursdays and concert events the highlights of my week.
I would not have it any other way!
Rosemary has been volunteering for Kerrytown Concert House for 23 years, and is a grandmother and a writer-- amongst many other things.
