Foreigner: the First of Many? Signed Guitar Auctioned for $10,000
By Sam Wheeler ’08
News Reporter
On Saturday, May 17th, 650 people attended the Reunion Weekend Foreigner fundraising alumni concert and guitar auction on campus. The event took place in the Worthington Johnson Athletic Center from 9:00 P.M. to 10:40 P.M. The concert was open to all alumni, faculty, and friends of the community over the age of 21.
Sylvia Abbate, the Director of Alumni and Donor Relations, said the idea for a Foreigner concert came from a member of the class of 1988. Alatia Bradley ’88 is quite close with a founding member of the band and brought the idea of a concert to the Alumni Relations Office. Abbate noted, “The class of 1988 really rallied and drummed up support for the concert.” According to Abbate, the band charged an extremely low rate and only charged to cover the expenses because it was a charity event.
Preparation for the event started months before the night of the concert. Abbate explained how complex the process was and how many different parties were involved: the Development Office, Facilities, One Source, other school employees, and the many technicians needed for the lights, stage and sound. Construction of the stage started Friday, May 16th, at noon. A local production company, Connecticut Audio & Theatrical Supply (CATS), built the stage and set up the lighting all day Friday. Foreigner came to Wallingford at 10 A.M. on Friday and spent most of Saturday working with the stage technicians and preparing for the show. John Fleming Ball ’08 commented, “I could hear the band getting ready during our baseball game at three. It was actually kind of nice to play ball with Foreigner in the background.”
Many students were disappointed that the concert was not open to the student body. Billy Rivellini ’09 says, “I love Foreigner—it would have been so much fun to have been able to go to the concert.” Abbate expressed the Development Office’s concern for the student body, commenting, “We understand that many students wanted to attend, but this concert was very much an adult and alumni event.”
An autographed guitar and case were auctioned off immediately after the concert was finished. Mr. Timlin, assisted by Mr. Gallagher, served as MC of the event. Mr. Timlin had much to say about the event: “The Foreigner concert was one of those rare, extraordinary nights on this campus. One of those opportunities that remind us what an embarrassment of riches Choate offers. It was great fun trying to get the alums bidding higher and higher for the guitar, especially as the money was going to a great cause—support for the school.” According to Abbate, the guitar was valued at $800 and sold for $10,000 to Rob Ryan ’88 in an intensive bidding duel between him and another member of the class of 1988. Mr. Timlin added that the guitar was sold to a member of the class of 1988. Abbate was unable to comment on the amount that the event raised, “the expense numbers are still coming in, so I can’t make a guess of any kind,” she said. “The event, though, was a huge success.” Mr. Pat Dennehy was one of the many faculty members in attendance. He commented, “It was an unbelievable event that was a highlight, I think, for the alums and faculty. It would be great if the school could put on a show like this every Reunion Weekend. It was one of the best events I have been to since I have been at Choate.”
According to Abbate, the Alumni Office would like to put on more concerts in the future, however, she mentioned that they “will most likely not be as big as this one.” Brian McDermott ’08 says, “I really hope they put on something like this when I come back in a couple years. I mean, I will contribute to the school just as much as everyone else [did] in the past, so I think we should deserve something of this scale as well.” As the class of 2008 gears up for their own entrance into the Choate Alumni world, high hopes have been set. In the words of senior Chris Krokus, “I think the seniors are really hoping that the Alumni Office will be as good to us as they were the alumni that got to enjoy the concert.”
The Foreigner concert was a hit event during reunion weekend. PHOTO/Priti kapoor
