The late Maestro, Viljar Weimann, led the orchestra with his bright personality and fierce passion for nearly a decade. His passing late last year left a silence that stretched beyond the stage, whether you knew him personally or simply knew the beauty he brought into the world, especially the Decatur community, through music.
In honor of Weimann’s legacy, the orchestra invited Maestro Henri Aavick, an internationally known conductor from Viljar’s birthplace in Estonia, to lead the anniversary performance. The music was carefully chosen by Viljar himself before he passed. Who would have known the selection would sound not only like celebration and thank you, but also mourning and farewell. It was a beautiful night celebrating music, remembrance, and the community that has supported the orchestra from day one.
Senta’s sentiment is echoed in a memory left by a former student on Weimann’s digital obituary:
“Dear Weimann Family,
Viljar was 1 in a billion, I am so sorry for your loss. He conducted youth orchestra when I was in high school. Viljar’s passion and incredible love for teaching and music infected all of us! My favorite memory was traveling to Canada with the orchestra and how when we performed the Russian Easter Overture so many audience members were overcome and crying and afterwards so many people stopped to talk about how much the music meant to them, it was amazing. He had that gift for picking the perfect music and then creating a wonderful performance that just brought down the house. Thanks to each of you for sharing him with so many and for the blessings he brought to every person he touched with his music, energy, and passion.
Sincerely, Hannah (Eason) Bates”
