Maestro Alvin Mills helped found the Brentwood Westwood Symphony Orchestra (BWSO) in 1953. For some perspective, Dwight Eisenhower became President that year, Jonas Salk came up with the polio vaccine and the first color television was introduced. For 63 years, hundreds of concerts later, at the age of 94, the Maestro is hanging up his baton.
The BWSO will honor Mills at a concert, slated for Sunday May 15, which will be his last as full time conductor. Mills will officially hand the reigns to Diego Miralles. The concert will feature guest soloists and performers come to honor the Maestro.
One performer is David Shostac, flautist for the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. Shostac’s relationship with Mills goes back to his childhood, when he attended and was allowed to join in on a BWSO rehearsal. “He’s a grand master,” said Shostac. “He always has positive things to say to encourage you to express yourself.”
That sentiment was echoed by Bob Engleman, Chairman of the board of the BWSO. “My father started the BWSO with Alvin,” said Engleman. “I’ve been raised with Alvin and the Orchestra.” The BWSO, which doesn’t charge for its concerts and is dependent on donations, has seen its ups and downs over the years. “The economic downturn in 2008 really hurt donations,” said Engleman. “But Alvin’s optimism has never wavered.” 
Mills fascination with music came early in life. He already had been playing the violin and viola for several years, when at 13 he had a life changing event, he had a chance to see legendary conductor Pierre Monteaux. “I couldn’t believe one man could do all that to get that sound out of the orchestra,” Mills said. “I was overwhelmed by the talent to get that gorgeous sound out the public.”
He spent time playing with philharmonics in Kansas City and Los Angeles, and even played with Leopold Stokowski, the famed conductor of Walt Disney’s “Fantasia,” at the Hollywood Bowl.
After spending two summers at Monteux’s conducting school in Maine, Mills decided to found an orchestra in Brentwood. A few years later they merged with the orchestra in Westwood and the BWSO was born. Mills has been a fixture in the Brentwood community ever since, garnering a special award from the mayor’s office and getting recognized by former city councilman Bill Rosendahl.
Mills lists some favorite memories as the time in the 60’s when Burt Lancaster provided the narration for a performance of “Peter and the Wolf” or in the 80’s when comedienne Phyllis Diller came and performed a Beethoven concerto with the orchestra. “She played it beautifully,” Mills added. The relationship also yielded a piece of music called “My Prayer,” with Diller providing the lyrics and Mills the music.
Mills paused and put it more succinctly, “The whole thing has been a highlight.”
What: Farewell Concert for Alvin Mills
When: Sunday May 15, at 3pm
Where: University Synagogue in Brentwood, at 11960 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, 90049 (1 mile west of the 405)
Admission: Free
For more info visit the BWSO website: bwso.org or call 424.276.1232.
