Fenno and family,
Thanks for a making a place to send our fond thoughts and our prayers. I couldn’t begin to make a list of the things I owe Fenno, from personal inspiration to the endless hours and pleasures of music making. He was here on my first day of Yale in 1971, and his infectious enthusiasm for singing drew me into the activities I treasured most as an undergraduate, up to and including the Whiffs. When I came back to direct the AYA, 11 years ago, Fenno was there. And within short order he and I combined forces to initiate a new tradition at reunions, Glee Club rehearsals for the alumni and a grand singing festival in Woolsey that continues to draw enormous crowds. It was the highlight of my weekend to coordinate and emcee the show, with Fenno being the featured songmeister for a rousing chorale of alumni performing Glee Club classics, followed by all the reuning Whiff and Whim groups. The crowd ADORED Fenno. He in turn glowed with all his showmanship and reveled in all the friendships he had made over decades of Glee Club singing. We always shared a giant hug at the end, as well as a few tears for time and change. Long may you run, Fenno, and choirs of angels sing you home.
Jeff Brenzel
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The Fenno Heath Master Class and Fenno's rekindling of the love of his music at Yale in the Woolsey Hall Jamboree on reunion Saturdays that Jeff Brenzel organized and emceed was for so many of us an unforgettable high point of reunions for about 15 years.
ReplyDeleteNow, fortunately, Mark Dollhopf carries on this extraordinary, proud tradition with his dynamic energy, musical talents, style and grace.
Jeff Brenzel continues to blend tradition and innovation with his characteristic combination of diligence and inspiration as Dean of Admissions---and Yale music (as well as Yale School of Music) are leading beneficiaries of his mission.
Thanks, Jeff and Mark for all you do for Yale.
Fenno, you've done it again! We owe you more gratitude than mere words can express in this space for your labors of love. They have inspired labors of love for music and for Yale in countless admirers around the world. Godspeed and God bless!
Peter Bonoff