Planning ahead is invaluable, but looking at the past is equally crucial. Visualize Toledo’s future by honoring our past during the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library’s exhibition A Black & White Retrospective of Historical Images of the Music of Sam Szor and the Dance of Bud Kerwin, on view through the end of February. The exhibition features the photography journal of Bill Hartough, who became interested in the duo’s creative collaboration before he became an official photographer for The University of Toledo.
Making a legend
Long before Toledo began working towards a creative renaissance, the city boasted a legendary artistic duo. After meeting as young teachers at Woodward High School in the late 50’s, music director, Samuel Szor (1930-2104) and choreographer, Bud Kerwin, did what enterprising minds have always done— turn what they have into a lot more.
“It’s a good lesson,” said Tom Szor, the Samuel’s son and exhibition organizer. “[Working at Woodward High School] was my father’s first job after graduating from The University of Michigan. He had so much energy, so much dynamism and vitality. His approach to education was very fresh at the time— they were doing major productions, even on a football field, in the 50s… My father broke all the rules and created this artistic bubble that touched so many Toledoans.”
Cutting edge beginnings
Full of ideas and vigor, both Szor and Kerwin made their names by turning the Woodward High School arts program into an advanced secondary school music program. Szor was originally only hired to lead the school band, but he quickly amplified the sound, working with Kerwin to put on musicals, referred to as “Extravaganzas,” which made students, teachers and the audiences proud. The duo produced operettas, ballets, musicals, and jazz performances— leading to notoriety and the opportunity to be commissioned by major companies.
During Szor and Kerwin’s 12 years at Woodward High, Szor’s educational style developed with a firm belief that the purpose of art was not just life enhancement, but an ethical commitment to the community:
“Everything he did was for the listener. I think he felt that [art] came from a place within, a connection to something bigger than us.” said Tom Szor. “My father presented the programs with such verve and flair that it was irresistible. He was very serious about what he did, but always made learning fun and the listening experience enjoyable.”
Moving center stage
In the exhibition, Hartough’s photographs, recently discovered by Tom, illuminate Szor and Kerwin’s collaborative, friendly relationship. Perfectionists, hard workers, naturally talented, and without pretense, the duo were committed to showing Toledoans that a blue collar town could spawn an energetic art community. Despite penchants for perfection, they saw eye to eye in creative collaboration.
“They almost never argued,” said Tom Szor. “They were both very strong in their commitment to their art and what they were producing…. all of the work was very challenging, but he never let that on to the never told the students. My father just believed in giving students the skills and tools. What more is a teacher than a provider?”
A Black & White Retrospective of Historical Images of the Music of Sam Szor and the Dance of Bud Kerwin will be on display through February 29
Toledo-Lucas County Public Library 3rd Floor Gallery, 325 Michigan St.
419-259-5200 | toledolibrary.org
