Holmquist returns to alma mater

When Ward Holmquist, OC '81, returned to campus this fall one thing struck him: how little Oberlin has changed. "It felt like the land time forgot," Holmquist said.

Holmquist, who is conducting this weekend's production of Roméo et Juliette, has been on campus for two weeks preparing for the production.

Since his graduation Holmquist has earned a reputation as one of the top young conductors in the country. After earning an advanced degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana and he was a Fulbright grant recipient in Vienna, Austria.

Holmquist has worked at the University of Southern California and recently took a job as artistic director for the Lyric Opera in Kansas City. He has also conducted over 20 productions at the Houston Grand Opera.

Despite his wide experience, this is the first time Holmquist has conducted Gounod's Roméo et Juliette. "Gounod is one of the greatest 19th century opera composers," Holmquist said. "Roméo et Juliette plays to his strengths as a lyricist and dramatics. The opera is very rewarding to conduct."

It's still novel to hear operas sung in their native languages here in Oberlin. It might seem incongruous at a institution of higher education in music.

Holmquist said that while regional American opera houses have been singing in native languages for years, it is new to colleges. "In the past they didn't think college-age students were developed enough," he said. "But programs like Oberlin's are proving them wrong."

Holmquist has enjoyed working with Oberlin students and staff while working on the opera. He said his return highlighted the caliber of education he received at Oberlin. "My experience back here has proved to me that the school continues to provide a very high quality education," he said. Working with current students was one thing that exposed this fact to Holmquist.

"I'm still proud to be an Obie and I'm proud to have worked with another generation of Oberlin students," he said.

Holmquist offered a little advice for current students who are thinking about their futures: "Follow your passion and dare to try to realize your dreams," Holmquist said. "It's an exciting way to live."