Pop Chesley's Special Jubilee

The Stanley Theatre in Utica, N. Y., had a big night on Tuesday, May 18. It was the scene of the Roland E. Chesley Jubilee honoring "Pop" Chesley 'OB, who founded the city's Great Artist Series in 1933 and has managed it for the past 38 years. His approaching 90th birthday, on July 24, provided Utica with an added special reason for honoring him.

Performing in the Jubilee Concert, sponsored by Munson-Williams-Proctor Institute, were three of the greatest singers from the Metropolitan Opera Company—Roberta Peters, coloratura soprano, Jan Peerce, tenor, and Theodor Uppman, baritone. The house was packed, and even among all the musical celebrities Pop Chesley was the star of the evening.

For nearly four decades he has headed the program that has brought the greatest symphony orchestras, ensembles, and musical artists to Utica. It all began as a sideline when he was transferred to Utica as representative of Ginn & Company, with which he was associated for 40 years until he retired in 1949.

Pop Chesley's musical interests were evident in Dartmouth student days. He was a singer and pianist as a member of Orpheus and the Glee Club and also was accompanist for the Paul Felt Singing Orchestra. Music remained a lifelong avocation. He has been president of the Civic Musical Society, the International Association of Concert Managers, and the Curran Scholarship Music Foundation, as well as vice president of the Greater Utica Opera Guild. His non-musical activities have been just as numerous, and because of them he has received Colgate University's Good Citizenship Award, the Golden Boy Award for his work with the Utica Boys Club, and the Mayors' Plaque for Civic Contribution to Utica.

Dartmouth has always been a top interest for Pop Chesley. He is past president of the Dartmouth Club of the Mohawk Valley and past chairman of the club's interviewing committee, and as he nears 90 he is still one of the liveliest Dartmouth men anywhere.

"Pop" Chesley '08, with singer MarionAnderson at her retirement party.