Alfred Gourdji Distinguished Lecture Series: Growing Up in the Real River City

Dr. Fischer grew up in the real River City -- Mason City, Iowa -- the hometown that inspired The Music Man, the Broadway hit by Meredith Willson who also grew up there. Mr. Willson wrote the script, lyrics, and music of The Music Man, which became one of the five longest running musicals in Broadway history and won several prestigious awards. Fischer will talk about the actual places and events that gave Mr. Willson many of the ideas for the musical, and how they differ from what was depicted in the Broadway show and movie. Although two generations apart, Meredith and Penny, both flutists, knew each other and played together. She will also talk about Willson's stellar career in Sousa's Band and the NY Philharmonic, as music director on national radio shows, and composer for Hollywood movies.

Dr. Penelope (Penny) Fischer is a professional flutist and college music educator. She is principal flutist emeritus of the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra and the Detroit Chamber Winds and Strings. She has taught flute and chamber music at several universities including George Washington University, University of Michigan, Eastern Michigan University, and Interlochen. She can be heard on recordings on the Naxos, CRI, Crystal, and Koch labels. She has performed in Portugal, Spain, France, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Russia, Japan, and China and around the US, and is winner of several professional competitions.