William Ford | 25 AUG 2025
Heavy rains swept across Atlanta on Saturday, with flash flood warnings dampening the city’s mood. Yet the weather did little to cool my curiosity when an invitation arrived for a unique musical celebration at the historic Halle Haus in the tony Buckhead neighborhood in Atlanta. Sponsored by the University of North Georgia (UNG), the event honored four students who had just returned from the Saarburg International Music Festival in Germany.
What unfolded that afternoon was more than a student recital—it was a window into history, philanthropy, and the enduring ties between Germany and the United States.
Claus Halle: From Bavaria to Coca-Cola Leadership
The story begins with Claus M. Halle (1930–2004), whose life journey reflects the very transatlantic connections this event sought to celebrate. Born in Germany during a time of upheaval, Halle immigrated to the United States and built a distinguished career with The Coca-Cola Company, where he rose to become President of Coca-Cola International. Known for his vision and steady leadership, he guided the company’s global expansion during a period of rapid growth.
But Halle was more than a corporate leader—he was a bridge-builder. He never forgot his German roots, and he used his position to strengthen cultural and economic ties between his homeland and his adopted country.
The Halle Haus: A Testament to Legacy
In Atlanta, the most tangible reminder of Claus Halle’s presence is the Halle Haus. Nestled in a heavily wooded area of Buckhead, the 12,000-square-foot mansion is well-insulated from the city’s hustle and bustle, reflecting both European refinement and Southern hospitality. Built under Halle’s direction, it has become a gathering place for cultural events, conferences, receptions, and philanthropic celebrations.
On Saturday, it provided an elegant backdrop for an event that embodied Halle’s lifelong passions: music, education, and fostering transatlantic exchange.
The Halle Foundation: A Transatlantic Mission
After Halle’s passing, his legacy continued through the Halle Foundation, which promotes cooperation and understanding between Germany and the United States. The foundation supports a wide range of initiatives, from academic exchanges to cultural partnerships, and has become a vital force in strengthening transatlantic ties.
Among its projects is a grant to UNG that enabled four music students to attend the Saarburg International Music Festival in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. The festival brings together young musicians from around the world for intensive study, performance, and cultural immersion—exactly the kind of initiative Halle himself would have cherished.
Student Performances
Saturday’s program gave the students a chance to share what they had learned abroad.
- Tyler Howell, saxophone – performed Lilac Tears by Jennifer Tolley, an exhilaratingly lyrical work, and Adoration by Florence Price, one of her most beloved compositions.
- Hayden Starr, tenor – sang two songs from Schumann’s famous Dichterliebe and the passionate aria “Amor ti vieta” from Giordano’s Fedora.
- Atira Muraski, trombone – offered Jørgensen’s Romance for Trombone and Piano and a movement from Reiche’s Trombone Concerto No. 2.
- Gieisi Voja, piano – appearing via video from her native Albania, concluded the program with a commanding performance of Chopin’s Scherzo No. 2 in B-flat minor.
The setting—a sunroom-like parlor overlooking the mansion’s gardens and pool—provided a warm, intimate environment. An audience of about 50 people offered generous and enthusiastic support for the students’ artistry.
Arts, Institutions, and Enduring Values
At a time when many academic institutions face headwinds—financial pressures, shifting enrollment patterns, and cultural debates reshaping long-standing traditions—the arts endure. They remain a bedrock of human expression, essential to any society that seeks to call itself cultured and civilized. The partnership between the Halle Foundation and the University of North Georgia embodies this conviction. By building bridges across continents through music, they affirm that the arts are not a luxury but a vital force for resilience, understanding, and the shaping of a shared future.
A Celebration of Music and Mission
As the rain tapered off outside, the afternoon inside the Halle Haus was a vivid reminder that music is not only an art form but also a bridge across cultures. Claus Halle’s story, his mansion, and his foundation all point to a life dedicated to building connections between nations.
By investing in students and giving them opportunities abroad, the Halle Foundation and University of North Georgia are nurturing the next generation of musicians while continuing Halle’s mission of fostering international understanding.
The Saarburg Festival experience, brought home to Atlanta in a house that symbolizes transatlantic ties, made the event both moving and memorable. It was a fitting reminder that the legacy of one man, and the generosity of a foundation, can ripple outward in ways that touch both art and diplomacy. ■
EXTERNAL LINKS:
- The Halle Foundation: thehallefoundation.org
- University of North Georgia (UNG): ung.edu
Read more by William Ford.
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