Alumni Relations

Legend of 1952

According to School Legend, the year was 1952.
Erich Leinsdorf was conducting the RPO in the Eastman Theatre.
Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture was on the program.

Much to the chagrin of School administrators, a small group of rogue students lay in wait on the Theatre’s catwalk. Armed with dormitory pillows, they listened for the crash of the cannon shots, releasing thousands of feathers onto the unsuspecting audience below.

MANY HAVE TAKEN CREDIT. NO ONE WAS CAUGHT.

For nearly 80 years, the Eastman School of Music has been inspiring artistry, scholarship, leadership… and even a little mischief in its students.