Waldo Mayo made his debut in 1918 in Carnegie Hall as a child prodigy concert violinist, followed by triumphant tours of the United States and Europe. Mr. Mayo walked among the greats in the musical world of his time. At the close of a concert here in Carnegie Hall, David Mendoza, musical director of the Capitol Theatre Orchestra, invited Mr. Mayo and Eugene Ormandy to join him as associate conductors. This led to Mr. Mayo’s introduction to Major Bowes, and he was appointed music director of the popular Amateur Hour radio program, broadcast from the Capital Theatre until Bowes’ death two years later.

Mr. Mayo had many interests. He wrote a series of books on the lives of the great composers. A publisher of books, he produced a biography of Arthur Fiedler, his early accompanist on tours. He also produced a highly successful record album for children, Melodies from Masters, with specially written lyrics to familiarize them with the classics.

As a consultant and supporter of The Senior Musicians Association for ten years, he produced a series of seven annual Christmas albums featuring the Senior Concert Orchestra and singers of traditional and modern compositions. The proceeds from the sales of these albums helped finance the many free performances of the Senior Concert Orchestra.

It is with a deep feeling of gratitude that we cherish Mr. Mayo’s memory and participate in our memorial concerts in his honor. We take this opportunity to express our deep appreciation to The Lucille Lortel Foundation for providing us with the means for presenting young talent through our annual Carnegie Hall events.