History of the Mendocino Music Festival

Edited by Averee McNear

The Mendocino Music Festival is back! To celebrate another year of great music, let us look at how the music festival began in this 2005 article written by Chuck Bush.

Allan Pollack and Susan Waterfall both grew up in the Chicago area and attended the same high school, although not at the same time. They met in 1983, when both were living “out west,” and have been together ever since. Susan grew up in the music world. Her dad was a renowned jazz band leader, her mother a jazz singer, and her sister a song writer and singer. Susan began piano lessons at age 6 and has never stopped playing and singing. She taught piano for many years and worked as a concert pianist. Allan started playing the clarinet at nine. In high school he played in the band and wrote all the music for the high school revue. When the band teacher was sick just before a show, Allan was chosen to substitute. He did such a good job he became the leader, and he has never stopped. He has been playing the saxophone and clarinet, leading orchestras and teaching music ever since.

Susan has come to the Mendocino Coast for over 30 years, staying on a beautiful piece of property in Albion. Since 1983, Allan has been with her. The Symphony of the Redwoods already existed then, and Allan was soon asked to be a guest conductor. Not long after that, during the summer of 1986, they both woke up with an idea. Why not start a summer music festival up here? Why not try to utilize the players in the Symphony of the Redwoods, and augment the orchestra by bringing up professionals from major orchestras who were free for two weeks of beautiful music up here on “The Coast?”

Walter Green, a noted bassoonist who had recently retired from the San Francisco Orchestra, lived in Elk and was heavily involved with the Symphony of the Redwoods, both as player and conductor. Allan and Susan talked to Walter, who was excited about the idea and felt that he could help to bring in the professionals.

Their friend Tenaya Middleton, who was both a cellist and a successful businesswoman, told them they were crazy. This did not alter their determination however, and she advised them to first set up a board of directors, as such an undertaking would require the support of the local community for both funds and workers. They came up with a list of twenty or so local movers and shakers and invited them to a party on their property in Albion that August. The result was the first Music Festival Board of Directors, which included Bud D’Arezzo, Paul Tay, Janet Morris, Dick Comen, Bruno and Mary Shiro, and a few others.

Very quickly Allan and Tenaya started organizing fundraisers in Mendocino, Elk, and Fort Bragg. They provided food and drink, played music, and talked about the project. They held ten fundraisers altogether. Before they could even worry about where they would perform, the Mendocino Headlands State Park invited them to use the grounds just to the west of the Ford House – a wonderful surprise which they gratefully accepted.

They had a hectic fall, winter, and spring planning the festival. Walter Green helped to bring up professionals (many “first chair”) to play. Dick Comen and Horace Irwin created the first stage. A tent that seated four hundred people was secured. A host of other problems were solved, like obtaining chairs, insurance, and security. Allan began rehearsals with the newly formed orchestra. Somehow, on a budget of $70,000, the first Mendocino Music Festival, conducted by Allan Pollack, began in July 1987.

The Kelley House Museum is open from 11AM to 3PM Thursday through Monday. ON TAP AT THE KELLEY HOUSE: The History of Brewing on the Mendocino Coast is on exhibit through September 29th. Walking Tours of Mendocino are available throughout the week; the cost is $25. Visit the Kelley House Event Calendar for a Walking Tour schedule.