Greatest gift, the gift of song

Dear Fenno,
 
When I was at Yale, you gave me the greatest gift, the gift of song. I hadn't realized then that it would be such an important part of my life. I had arrived at Yale in 1971 and, although I had sung in my highschool choir, I didn't pursue singing at Yale until I was a junior. I'm not sure why I ventured down to Hendrie Hall to audition for the Yale Glee Club in the fall of my junior year, but I did. I remember that you seemed sort of surprised. I guess by junior year most people were either singing or not. You asked me why I was there, and I said I realized that I really wanted to sing. I don't even think the audition went that well because I remember you said my sightreading wasn't the best, but I had a good ear. I'm sure there were plenty of other "younger" kids that you could have taken (there was no Freshman Glee Club at that time, so there were probably many freshmen auditioning), but you took me. Perhaps it was because I said I really wanted to sing. And for that I am forever grateful. I made my best friends in the Glee Club (do you remember what a duo Leslie Fitzpatrick and I were?!) and I haven't stopped singing since.
 
For most of my adult life, I have lived in Norfolk, Conn., where music at Yale was really born. I have walked on the paths that the Battells and Stoeckels walked on along the Village Green and sung in the church where they sang, as I know you have too. When Robbins Battell introduced the singing of English glees to northwest Connecticut and supported Gustave Stoeckel at Yale, he began a proud tradition which continues today. I am so grateful to have been a part of this tradition. Singing has brought so much meaning and beauty into my life. I don't think I can ever thank you enough.
 
With love,
 
Ann
 
Ann Havemeyer
Yale College, Class of 1975