Your path: Past Exhibitions > Kelly Gronli > Joyce Furman's Life > Philosophy of Online Learning > Creative Writing Requirements > Mr. Balogh's Opus
Mr. Balogh's Opus
Excerpt from an article by Linda Hundhammer in The Lake Oswego Review, October 21, 2008.
You've seen him around Lake Oswego. You may recognize him from the promotional posters, the soccer field (he plays three times a week), or the fundraising beat, but you feel like you know him. Lajos Balogh (pronounce Lah-yosh Ball-og), 77, is everywhere.
He conducts some of the Portland areas' most successful group orchestras including the Marylhurst Symphony, the Portland Festival Symphony and the Metropolitan Youth Symphony. Plus, he was Principal Violin II for the Oregon Symphony for 27 years from 1970 to 1997.
"I enjoy, so much, working with all types of musicians – community players, professionals and youth," says Balogh. "It is wonderful."
Balogh was hired at Marylhurst University in 1967 to do what he does best – teach and conduct classical music. He now has been a permanent faculty member and the conductor of the Marylhurst Symphony for more than 41 years.
In l974, he saw a need for classical instruction in the younger ages. He started the Metropolitan Youth Symphony with 16 kids from Lake Oswego and West Linn.
The youth symphony now has more than 500 kids participating in three symphony orchestras, three symphonic bands, two string ensembles, a flute choir and two jazz ensembles.
The youth symphony has played around the world including performances in Europe, Russia, Scandinavia, Japan and Balogh's home country, Hungary.
Members of Balogh's Youth Symphony have gone on to play in such prestigious programs as the Cleveland Institute of Music, the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, The Julliard School and Oberlin Conservatory of Music.
"I am very proud of these young people," said Balogh.