On July 8th, a special retirement concert was held at Carnegie Hall in honor of Norman Dunfee, who retired after 33 years of service to MidAmerica Productions. He retired as the Executive Director and Production Manager.
The concert was done in two parts. The first had a theme of “Gloria,” with several choral pieces. The second was a patriotic theme entitled, “Spirit of America,” with several patriotic pieces, including a tribute to the Armed Forces, “America the Beautiful,” and “Lift Every Voice.” It was performed by the New England Symphonic Ensemble, with Preston Hawes as the Artistic Director. Various choruses from North Carolina, including at the collegiate level and the high school level, participated as well.
Norman is the son of Betty Dunfee and the late Bill Dunfee of Grant City. He has played the piano at the concert level for many years, and came back several times to perform at the Grant City Baptist Church in the 1980’s. He is a graduate of Worth County.
As part of his retirement honors, Norman got letters from three people who knew him well and who worked with him over the years. Peter Tiboris, the Founder, General Director, and Music Director for MidAmerica, wrote the following letter:
From origins in Grant City, Missouri, to the grand stages of historic Carnegie Hall and Europe, Norman Dunfee began his longstanding career and relationship with MidAmerica Productions, Inc. as the Production Manager on September 15th, 1990.
All who have had the privilege of working alongside Norman hold him in highest personal and professional regard for his professionalism, comradeship, and remarkable composure. His unwavering dedication to MidAmerica has endeared him as a cherished friend to many of his colleagues and professional associates – and is a primary reason why this season, MidAmerica celebrates 40 years of concerts worldwide.
After completing his studies at William Jewell College in Liberty (MO) and obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Music, Norman pursued his passion for music at the University of Missouri, Kansas City Conservatory of Music. There, he earned his Masters and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees in Piano Performance.
Throughout his career, he has collaborated with esteemed figures such as John Rutter, Sherill Milnes, Helmuth Rilling, Simon Carrington, Lukas Foss, and many others.
For many years, Norman has held significant positions at MidAmerica Productions, Inc., including Executive Director. He has been the bedrock of MidAmerica, ensuring both ethical and procedural integrity. Without his steadfast presence, the seamless execution of countless concerts over the past 33 years would have been considerably more challenging. He excels at resolving issues, no matter their magnitude. His exceptional abilities have garnered admiration not only from those at Carnegie Hall, but also from all who have had the privilege of collaborating with him worldwide.
His impact and legacy at MidAmerica will be remembered as unequaled, leaving an enduring imprint on everyone he touched. Thank you, Norman.
John Rutter, Conductor Laureate for MidAmerica wrote the following letter:
Dear Norman,
Every one of us that has stepped on to the stage of Carnegie Hall at a MidAmerica concert during the last 33 years owes you an enormous debt of gratitude. You have been the rock on which our performances have been built. First, your organizational skills are second to none; you overlook nothing, even the smallest detail, in planning the concerts, which are often complex. Every musician knows exactly where they have to be, when they have to be there, what they have to do, and you instinctively understand what they need in order to do it.
It’s often a scheduling and logistical nightmare, but somehow, you have always made it go right. But, more than that, you have always created the right calm and encouraging atmosphere that enables everyone to give of their best. If there has ever been a backstage crisis, you head it off and we are soon in tranquil waters. How have you done it all? I don’t quite know, but the fact that you are a first-class musician yourself as well as a first class administrator is surely part of the secret. On top of that, you are a kind, wise, sympathetic human being. We shall all miss you.
Preston Hawes, Artistic Director and Principal Violinist of New England Symphonic Ensemble, who performed at Dunfee’s retirement concert, wrote the following letter:
Dear Norman,
I find myself at a loss for words as I attempt to express my gratitude for the extraordinary journey we have shared over the last two decades at Carnegie Hall. Iconic doesn’t even begin to encompass the magnitude of your presence and the indelible mark you have left on the thousands of musicians who, through your tireless work, have made music on this storied stage.
Together with MidAmerica Productions, the New England Symphonic Ensemble has been able to bring world-class music to countless concertgoers, thousands of whom likely never before stepped foot in a formal concert hall, never mind had access to Carnegie Hall. While I know that in the grind of daily work it is sometimes difficult to see the impact one might have on others, I can confidently say that you have been the unquestionable backbone of a remarkable team that through music making has made the world a more beautiful, equitable, and represented place. I’ll be honest; after 250+ concerts I don’t clearly recall the very first concert I played here at Carnegie Hall, but I know you were there.
You have always been here. From frantic late night problem solving text messages, to rehearsals in cramped and always boiling hot studios, to the blue-lit back stage, I have always been able to rely on you knowing best what to do in any situation. Your steady and consummate professionalism, unparalleled attention to detail, and your unflappable calm – always mixed in with a wicked sense of humor – have more than I can count been the source of what stilled my nerves as I anxiously waited for the stage doors to open and the concerts begin. You are likely already rolling your eyes, being publicly extolled like this, but it is not an exaggeration to say that what you have brought to hundreds of thousands of musicians and concertgoers has together with all of the music made been forever and indelibly etched into the walls of Carnegie Hall itself.
I take comfort to knowing we’ll continue to flourish even without your guiding hand, because you have imbued your teammates with the same standards of excellence you have brought every single day over these past decades. But it won’t be the same. The NESE will miss you and I will certainly miss you.
May your more than well deserved retirement be filled with the same magic that you have bestowed upon us all. The NESE will miss you, and I will certainly miss you. I thank you, my friend, for everything you have done for us.
At the end of the concert, Norman was sent off with a standing ovation.
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