The Party IV (The Welcoming)
100. At about 1:30 pm, an eager crowd of reunioneers — officially tallied at 283 — takes their seats.
101.
102. The group is warmly and enthusiastically welcomed …
103. …by Henry Becton.
Henry: Good afternoon everybody….can I have your attention? Welcome. Or perhaps I should say welcome home. This is a fabulous collection of WGBH alums. I’ve had a frustrating time, I should say, because I only get little snatches with each of you, and I’m looking forward to going deeper.
I’ve heard several people say that when they got this invitation they couldn’t resist. I’ve had other people say “this is really weird, Henry.” And, in fact, some of us feel like we’re in the middle of a conceptual art piece created by Fred Barzyk.
For those of you I haven’t met, I’m the president of WGBH. David Ives will be here in a few minutes to also welcome you.
And I want to start with a fanfare (if I can have your attention). What better way to start a reunion than with a fanfare, and what fanfare is more associated with WGBH, than the opening bars to Masterpiece Theater. So, of course, I’ve asked our friend Christopher Sarson who created it to come help me using words that David Ives and I composed. And you’ll have to listen closely to hear if we get the meter right. Ready?
Chris: Set the pitch.
Both: One, two, three….
The reunion is officially launched with a rousing welcoming song to the Masterpiece Theater theme with lyrics by Henry and David Ives and sung by Henry and Chris Sarson.
Welcome all who’ve come from far away and near,
To join this wonderful reunion throng,
Let us celebrate the role each of us has played,
and make the station strong.
Alums from nineteen-fifty to the seventies,
The most creative bunch under the sun,
Let us share good fellowship, good memories,
And most of all, have fun.
104.
105.
106. Henry then presents Fred Barzyk with a token of gratitude for his efforts in bringing us all together for the Reunion celebration.
107. It’s a lucite enclosed bolt from the reconstruction of the station’s transmitter tower.
108.
109.
110.
111.
112. Hear Henry’s introduction of Fred, the presentation of the award, and Fred’s “I had a dream….” speech.
113.
114. Thanks from all of us, Fred.
Photos 100, 101, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 112: Jeffrey Dunn; 102, 111: Don Hallock