Page 4 - Cal Delta Spotlight - Fall 2014

USC House Selby (Continued from Page 1) (Continued from Page 1) mostly in the east and known conductors as coaches. We then develop try another career in the skills needed to lead orchestras ranging in Scottsdale, Arizona. size from 35 to 90 players, depending on the achieving the highest GPA among fraternities music. Experience and age is a plus as many of 100 or more members and hosting not just How did you conductors work into their 80’s. I still have one, but two pre-game tailgate parties for transition more work to do. I am not in a hurry and am alumni this season. At the second one before into business not doing it for the money. the homecoming game, the guys rallied to the ownership and tailgate after a dynamic exchange with the sales? What did you enjoy most about traveling Gamma Phis the night before. This comes After leaving JWT in the world by ship? after a Fall Rush that was the most successful in all but a really old guy’s memory. It brought 1990, I had the sweat I have always enjoyed traveling by ocean in 32 new Phikeia, including two players on equity opportunity to rescue and turnaround a liner and have taken 30 voyages. Ships are the football team. The chapter is on a roll, failing 150 unit regional restaurant chain with a throwback to an earlier time, and there is and I’m amazed as I talk with one senior after a JWT friend and former Burger King client. much to do or little: interacting with fellow another who has had a great job waiting since Based in Scottsdale, the pizza & game chain passengers, a time to relax, read, swim, try the before his senior year even started. was owned by the Saudi Bank, which was craps table, listen to great music and to dance, Meanwhile, thanks to the generosity of close to liquidating the company. We made a enjoy fne cuisine, and see exciting ports of so many of you, the house’s fnancial status deal with the bank and, as new owners, totally call and more. When we sailed out of a harbor, continues to improve. Our total mortgage revitalized the brand. In 7 years we missed I really felt I was leaving the intense, often debt just broke below $1.7 million, which an IPO but sold the chain for $100 million to nerve racking pace of the advertising business isn’t a bad milestone considering that it an investment bank, who recently unloaded the behind, if for only a few weeks. And the folks peaked at $3.5 million during reconstruction brand on Chuck E. Cheese. at home didn’t try to call. My trip around the fve years ago. The House Corporation world was for fve months and a needed break continues to approach donors with the goal Where did your love of music come from my music. It was a blast. of accelerating the pace of paying down the from? mortgage burden, which is essential to the My parents were performing artists, and I was What advice long-term stability of the chapter. classically trained by my father on the clarinet. can you How important is it that we eliminate the Dad was a world class musician and conductor. give to the debt and secure our ownership of the house? Mom was a violinist and a soprano soloist. alumni about Consider what happened recently at Wesleyan At a young age I played a lot of chamber seizing great University, where the school decided to force and orchestra gigs in Southern California on opportunities? its fraternities to admit women. The edict specialty clarinets for about ten years. My To the older applies only to university-owned houses, three siblings were outstanding musicians as Phis, insure not to the minority of fraternities that own well. Music was our oxygen. “ r e t i r e m e n t ” their own houses. USC’s administrators have is not in your traditionally had an outlook that’s more sober How does one train to be a conductor? vocabulary. We than the prevailing philosophies at so many You have to start by having the DNA. Coming all have so many American universities, but it’s good to be prepared in any case. from two careers not directly oriented in music, talents, and our One of the best benefts of being a House I have had to leap frog to gain any level of sunset years can Corporation board member is the way it keeps artistry. A bachelor’s degree in music theory be as rewarding one in touch with so many alumni. A month (most diffcult in the feld) showed I had the as when we were ago Steve Scully and I had the privilege of chops in the language of music. Now three young Turks. speaking at a phenomenal reunion of Cal years of private conducting coaching and Just go for it. For the young Phis, try out a Delta Alumni from 1950 to 1960. And workshops was needed. A workshop allows lot of different opportunities and then “hitch alumni attendance at the most-recent Blue us to conduct orchestras with internationally your wagon to a star.” Chip Dinner in August was by far the highest ever. We’re scheduling more alumni Save-the-Date! functions, but the input I hear says there is demand for more still, from golf tournaments 2014 Blue Chip Dinner to skeet shooting to more dinners. If you have an interest in coordinating events, the House Corporation would like to hear from you. As for Spring Semester well, I’m always fred up to talk Phi Delt on any matter at brucebuettell@yahoo.com or 714-680-4630. If you have any questions or comments about the house or its fnances, I’m always fred up to talk Phi Delt. Please contact me at brucebuettell@yahoo.com or 714-686-7186. Friday Evening - January 23rd, 2015 Bruce Buettell ’82 Location: TBD President – USC Phi Delt House Corporation Alumni communication services provided by Te Laurus Group | www.thelaurusgroup.net | 770-903-3987 | @thelaurusgroup