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Cecile Cooper newspaper clippings, 1966-1987
1980-12-02 ""Simon Estes returning the favor""
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Dec. 2, 1980 Simon Estes Returning the Favor By STARLA SMITH Press-Citizen Reporter Simon Estes believes in "living wills." A former University of Iowa student and now an international opera star, Estes has returned "home" to present a benefit recital for the UI School of Music at 8 p.m. Wednesday in Hancher Auditorium. Because he has been so successful, Estes, 42, likes to help young people get an education. For him, money should be used "here and now." Living wills, living trust funds and living grants -- this is how Simon Estes helps others. At least 12 students, both at home and abroad, have been aided by Estes' financial support. This is a far cry from his early days in Centerville, Iowa, where, as the son of a black coal miner, he fell victim to the discrimination of a time period, not just a town. "To say that I was not angered would not be telling the truth," says Estes. "I was disappointed. I was sad. I was hurt. But I was not one to be violent." In Centerville, Estes was not allowed to sit downstairs at the movie theater; blacks were told to go upstairs. "We used to call it the 'Crows' Nest'," he says. "it was by the toilet and it smelled." One time young Simon and several friends (sons of prominent white families) went to the movies. As usual, Estes headed upstairs. But his friends said, "Hey, you're sitting with us." The manager yelled, "Where you goin', Estes?" Estes' friend answered for him: "He's sitting with us, or we'll tell our fathers to call you." Simon Estes sat downstairs. Although Iowa City was not free of prejudices, Estes found freedom when he arrived from junior college. A pre-med major, Estes turned to theology and then social psychology before he began singing, working with Charles Kellis, a UI vocal instructor. Kellis believed in Estes' talent and organized a benefit, raising $267 to send Estes to New York for an audition at the Juilliard School of Music. Two years later he won the Munich International Vocal Competition, and the next year -- 1966 -- Estes won the first International Tchaikovsky Vocal Competition in Moscow. Since then Estes has sung 83 roles with most of the great opera companies and performed with symphonies and in recitals throughout Europe, Canada, Australia and the United States. Later this month he will make his debut at Carnegie Hall, and next year will find him singing with New York's Metropolitan Opera. Estes makes it clear that his career is worthwhile, but has been achieved by hard work and the "three d's" -- discipline, dedication and determination. He worked his way through UI. "I scrubbed floors, washed dishes, worked nights," Estes says. "But I don't want pity. It's something I had to do." Estes even worked a stint with a local house mover Max Yocum. "I was on both his demolition and house moving crews," says Estes. "He used to scream all the time, but he always paid us. A few years ago, when I sang here, Max came and presented me with a very precious stone. "Don't ever slight anyone" -- that's what Estes tells young students. "You never know who is sitting in the audience." Estes' generosity has set him apart from many performers. Because he is black, he is very aware of the struggle black artists must undergo. Even administration has an embarrassing lack of black managers. "There are no blacks in decision-making positions for the arts," says Estes. "No black mangers, yet there are many talented individuals." Simon Estes
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Dec. 2, 1980 Simon Estes Returning the Favor By STARLA SMITH Press-Citizen Reporter Simon Estes believes in "living wills." A former University of Iowa student and now an international opera star, Estes has returned "home" to present a benefit recital for the UI School of Music at 8 p.m. Wednesday in Hancher Auditorium. Because he has been so successful, Estes, 42, likes to help young people get an education. For him, money should be used "here and now." Living wills, living trust funds and living grants -- this is how Simon Estes helps others. At least 12 students, both at home and abroad, have been aided by Estes' financial support. This is a far cry from his early days in Centerville, Iowa, where, as the son of a black coal miner, he fell victim to the discrimination of a time period, not just a town. "To say that I was not angered would not be telling the truth," says Estes. "I was disappointed. I was sad. I was hurt. But I was not one to be violent." In Centerville, Estes was not allowed to sit downstairs at the movie theater; blacks were told to go upstairs. "We used to call it the 'Crows' Nest'," he says. "it was by the toilet and it smelled." One time young Simon and several friends (sons of prominent white families) went to the movies. As usual, Estes headed upstairs. But his friends said, "Hey, you're sitting with us." The manager yelled, "Where you goin', Estes?" Estes' friend answered for him: "He's sitting with us, or we'll tell our fathers to call you." Simon Estes sat downstairs. Although Iowa City was not free of prejudices, Estes found freedom when he arrived from junior college. A pre-med major, Estes turned to theology and then social psychology before he began singing, working with Charles Kellis, a UI vocal instructor. Kellis believed in Estes' talent and organized a benefit, raising $267 to send Estes to New York for an audition at the Juilliard School of Music. Two years later he won the Munich International Vocal Competition, and the next year -- 1966 -- Estes won the first International Tchaikovsky Vocal Competition in Moscow. Since then Estes has sung 83 roles with most of the great opera companies and performed with symphonies and in recitals throughout Europe, Canada, Australia and the United States. Later this month he will make his debut at Carnegie Hall, and next year will find him singing with New York's Metropolitan Opera. Estes makes it clear that his career is worthwhile, but has been achieved by hard work and the "three d's" -- discipline, dedication and determination. He worked his way through UI. "I scrubbed floors, washed dishes, worked nights," Estes says. "But I don't want pity. It's something I had to do." Estes even worked a stint with a local house mover Max Yocum. "I was on both his demolition and house moving crews," says Estes. "He used to scream all the time, but he always paid us. A few years ago, when I sang here, Max came and presented me with a very precious stone. "Don't ever slight anyone" -- that's what Estes tells young students. "You never know who is sitting in the audience." Estes' generosity has set him apart from many performers. Because he is black, he is very aware of the struggle black artists must undergo. Even administration has an embarrassing lack of black managers. "There are no blacks in decision-making positions for the arts," says Estes. "No black mangers, yet there are many talented individuals." Simon Estes
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