Calgary Philharmonic honours Mary Rozsa de Coquet with Golden Baton award

Mary Rozsa de Coquet, a 73-year-old born-and-raised Calgarian, has received the Calgary Philharmonic's Golden Baton—the orchestra's highest recognition for philanthropic supporters.

The award, represented by a $30,000 gold and Swarovski crystal-dipped baton, celebrates contributions to the Calgary Phil and recognizes outstanding supporters. For Mary, the honour carries particular weight: her parents, Ted and Lola, were the first people to receive the award in 2000 after it was created to honour their widespread support of the arts. During the award ceremony's traditional baton-passing ritual on stage, Mary's daughter took the place her mother has historically held for her deceased parents, passing the baton until Mary received it.

"Mom and dad helped start the philharmonic, really," Mary said in an interview with Postmedia.

Ted was a geophysicist brought to Alberta from the United States by Shell to work in the oil industry, but devoted his time to supporting churches, sports, education, and the arts. Lola was an artist and founding member of Mac 14—now known as Theatre Calgary—with a voice suited to the concert hall. Both were among the first season-ticket holders to the Alberta Symphony and Calgary Philharmonic, and Mary grew up attending their concerts and hosting musicians at her family home.

After earning her first degree in Texas, Mary returned to Calgary and studied education at the University of Calgary, later receiving an honorary doctorate from the university. She credits her parents' example for her own commitment to the arts.

"The arts are like water," Mary said. "They flow everywhere and they're absolutely necessary for life." She emphasized that arts bring communities together, provide inspiration, and are instrumental in children's intellectual development. "The CPO was always their true love," she added, referring to the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra.