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Brentwood Press - Index

Brentwood Press - DiscoveryBayPress_10.03.08 - Index

4A | BRENTWOODPRESS.COM COMMUNITY OCTOBER 3, 2008
Stuarts to be honored as first Artists
of the Year at Art, Wine & Jazz fest
by Ruth Roberts
Staff Writer
Seven years ago, when Sue and Bruce
Stuart became involved in the creation of
the Brentwood Art, Wine & Jazz Festival,
their goal was to spotlight and honor local
musicians and artists. This year, organizers
are returning the favor.
For the fi rst time, directors of the
Brentwood Art Society are adding an Artist
of the Year award to the festival agenda,
and the Stuarts are its inaugural recipients.
The award will be presented at 10 a.m. on
Oct. 11 at City Park in Brentwood.
Sue will be accepting the honor for
herself and posthumously for her husband
Bruce, who died in June. “Bruce would
have loved this,” said Sue, who will be conducting
the Brentwood Concert Band at
the event in Bruce’s name. “I wish he were
here, too.”
Bruce was a retired teacher and musician
who was instrumental in organizing
the Brentwood Concert Band. His
lifelong passion for music and performing
took him to Carnegie Hall and Japan. He
played with many ensembles, including the
Devil Mountain Jazz Band.
Sue is Liberty High School’s longtime
choral director. Her department has won
many state, national and international
honors. Sue is also the driving force behind
Liberty’s 80VOLTS (80 Voices Of Liberty
Tour Students) musical booster club, which
has participated in international competitions.
Sue has also served as a judge for a
number of choral and ensemble festivals.
“It is with great pleasure that the
Brentwood Art Society has chosen both
you and Bruce as this year’s recipient of
the award,” said Brentwood Art Society
President Janet Melloni in a recent correspondence.
“It is only fi tting that two of
you receive this award, as you both have
been instrumental in helping build the festival.
It is with our deepest sympathy that
Bruce cannot be with you to accept this
award, but we know his legend will truly
live on in the community.”
Rod Lynn, left, and
Emil Geddes, right,
present the Artist of
the Year award to
Liberty High choral
director Sue Stuart.
Stuart and her
husband Bruce, who
passed away this
year, will be honored
at the Brentwood
Art Society’s Art,
Wine & Jazz Festival
next weekend.
Photo courtesy of
Peggie Schuitemaker
The Brentwood Art Society Artist of
the Year award was created to acknowledge
the contributions of local artists for
their dedication, inspiration and encouragement
of local creative minds.
The Brentwood Art, Wine & Jazz
Festival will be held Oct. 11 and 12. For
more information on the event, call 925-
513-4422.