Fenno,
In 1962 the Glee Club sang two songs, The Lamb and The Tyger, words by William Blake and music by yourself. I enjoyed them very much, and have always remembered them.
This past Thanksgiving some of my family had joined us. My mother commented, a propos of nothing in particular, that she remembered our concerts from back then, and particularly those two songs, and spoke of them fondly.
Then, unexpectedly, my younger sister spoke up as well. She was not yet 10 at the time, but she remembers sitting in the balcony at Woolsey, close to the stage, and hearing the songs. They stuck in her memory, too, and remain for her outstanding examples of choral music.
Thus did you touch two people, almost 50 years ago, who remember you and your music to this day and into the future.
David Hopkins
Dearest Heaths,
ReplyDeleteI remember clearly those afternoons on Everit Street when I would come over for piano lessons with Sarah (1983-89?). Usually Carol and Fenno would be somewhere about the house, and I wondered what Fenno thought of my botched Bach or stumbly jazz renditions on his baby grand. Little did I know that a few years later I would be singing with Fenno during one of his last years as head of the YGC. Those were rich times, and full of joy, as we learned to sing loudly, sing softly, and express emotions through the dynamics Fenno encouraged in us.
Whenever I hear the football medley, Shenandoah (I now live near the Shenandoah Valley in Charlottesville, VA), or Biebl's Ave Maria, I am transported back to those glorious Glee Club moments.
Wonderful to know Fenno is surrounded by family and in good hands with Hospice. Thank you for keeping us connected during his last days on this journey.
love to you all,
Jody Esselstyn '93
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure I can say anything as eloquent and heartfelt as the prior posters, but I do feel compelled to write. Although I had a very meaningful experience at Yale, few things have left me with as powerful and positive memories as my time with Fenno and the Ugly Club (that's what my family always thought I was saying).
Thank you Fenno and thank you Heaths for sharing him with us.
Michael Littman, '88
(Publicity Officer '87, Historian '88, Bass throughout)