From Fred Pittman

Dear All,

My friendship with Fenno began with "graduation" from the Yale Freshman Glee Club to the Yale Glee Club the year he filled in for Barty who was on sabbatical prior to his last year as YGC Director. Fenno and Barty decided that I should receive a First Tenor vocal scholarship which allowed me for the first time to get serious about training my voice. Working with Fenno in rehearsals and at concerts introduced me to the world of musical professionalism that changed the way I approached singing and has been a strong influence on all I have done with music since. Then there was Barty's last year as director followed by two additional wonderful years with Fenno, including the 1954 summer European tour that changed my life forever.

In subsequent years Fenno brought the Yale Glee to Charleston, SC twice they performed beautifully at our best venue for choral music, the Episcopal Cathedral of St. Luke and St. Paul where I do most of my singing as a member of the Cathedral Choir led by Sam Sheffer with William Gudger at our outstanding organ. Sam and Bill helped me to organize a trip to Yale for the Charleston Renaissance Ensemble. This group of most talented singers, led at the time by Sam Sheffer, gave a concert for Elizabethan Club members who were gathered together to celebrate the occasion of one of the early Elizabethan Club's Maynard Mack Lectures. And during this visit to Yale the Renaissance Ensemble sang for Fenno and a members of the YGC assembled in Hendrie Hall for the event.

And then there were the YGC reunions and concerts in New Haven. Fenno kept us all on our toes and the concerts in Woolsey Hall were great fun and a tribute to Fenno's ability to get us all to sing like we did in our twenties.

Fenno, you have brought much joy to your grateful singers and to many, many audiences here and abroad. Thank you, Dear Friend.

God Bless,

Fred Pittman
Yale Class of 1955