On Sept. 21, Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, honored philanthropist and arts advocate Kay H. Logan in celebration of the 20th season of Music at Noon: The Logan Series, an innovative program that provides world-class chamber music in an informal, intimate atmosphere to diverse audiences. Logan, formerly of Warren, founded the noontime chamber concert series at the college in 1989.
"Kay's vision has provided Penn State Behrend and our regional community with high-quality performances and an innovative approach to arts education for two decades," said Jack Burke, chancellor. "We welcomed the opportunity to thank her and continue her dream of introducing students to many of the best chamber ensembles in the world."
Kay Logan was principal flutist with the Columbus Symphony for 20 years. Her desire to present world-class chamber music in an informal, non-intimidating setting honors her late husband, Harry A. Logan Jr. Harry was an ardent advocate for bringing arts and other cultural enrichments to northwestern Pennsylvania when the couple resided in Warren, where he was CEO of United Refining Co. Kay Logan is affiliated with several national arts education projects and is a former trustee of Chautauqua Institution.
The Cavani String Quartet gave the debut performance for The Logan Series in September 1990. The quartet returned to Penn State Behrend on Monday to kick off this 20th season. A reception was held in the Wintergarden following the hour-long performance.
Penn State Behrend also hosted several events for Kay Logan in Logan House. She purchased and refurbished the building in 1991 to be used for programming and events centered on the college’s students, including etiquette dinners, guest speakers, and student organization meetings and inductions. The 6,700-square-foot house was built in 1928 for Elisha Mack Jr., founder of the Erie Dry Goods Company, which later became the Boston Store.
Finally, Cavani performed two mini-concerts on Sept. 22 for students at the City of Erie’s Diehl Elementary School, Penn State Behrend’s Adopt-A-School partner. A unique component of each Logan Series presentation is that the musicians also actively engage Diehl students through concerts and discussions to help them understand fundamental concepts of the music being performed.
The Logan Series' unique musical outreach has been honored with an Adventurous Programming Award by Chamber Music America and the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. After initial funding from the Harry A. Logan Foundation in 1990, Kay Logan has been funding the series. In addition, it receives funding from the Penn State Behrend Student Activity Fee, Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts and the Erie Arts Endowment of ArtsErie.