Leonard Stone

I came home from school with my course list for grade 11 - my mother said there´s no art and I told her they weren´t offering it this year. She stormed down to the principal´s office and asked him to find a school that did offer it and he did!! I was sent to another school one day a week in downtown Winnipeg for Grade 11 and 12. This was in 1964 or '65 and I was told to get a haircut because I would be representing my school. I arrived to find a 'free-spirited' and caring art teacher...

During my tenure at the Florida Orchestra as a Double Bass player,I remember that Leonard Stone stood out as as a great asset to the growth of the orchestra.

MR. STONE WAS CEO OF THE FLORIDA ORCHESTRA WILE I WAS CHAIRMAN. HE LOVED WRITING MORE THAN MUSIC AND LOVED IS FAMILY. HE WAS A FRIEND AND I AM GLAD I WORKE WIT HIM. JAMES GILLESPIE

Leonard's contribution to the symphonic world, and the WSO in particular was legendary. We had many beautiful conversations over the past three years. Always inspiring, his last words to me some months ago, were "reach for the stars". Thank-you for your inspiration Leonard.

Leonard was a patron at the library I work for. We spent years smiling in each other's company. He'd share his latest writings and he said when his works were turned into films, he'd fly me to Hollywood and we'd walk the red carpet together. I'll miss his stories. I'll miss hearing about the love he had for his family. I'll miss his dreams and ambition. I know he lived a full life, but it's never enough. Rest well, friend.

With regard to building the Meyerson and to paraphrase Reggie Jackson, Leonard "was the straw who stirred the drink!" Yes, it was a huge, combined effort made possible by Dallas' most important and generous movers and shakers, but it was Leonard who somehow marshaled all the forces through a complicated time. The end result, The Meyerson Symphony Center, remains a remarkable crown jewel for the arts in Dallas.