Summer 1980....somewhere in Austria (Graz?). Not our official concert, but an impromptu standup of Randall Thompson's Alleluja after a group dinner, as a gesture for our hosts. It had been a long day, involving long bus rides, a hike to a glacier, return hike in pouring rain, and then the ride back to town on the "disco bus" with the cooperative bus driver flashing the interior lights as we danced in the aisle. Fenno was on another bus... I suppose we had a little adrenaline, followed by wine with dinner. The basses decided it would be fun to - fully on purpose this time - add the "wrong" first descending "alleluja."...the one that feels like it should be in the score on the first page, but isn't, and that takes repeated reminders to rehearse out. We were quite loud about it. I remember Fenno looking right at our table and mouthing the words, "That's not funny," as he continued directing. The next day he was more dour than usual on the bus (sort of a permanent state, after listening to the tape of Styx singing "Lady" far too many times). After a tense, quite ride for many miles, Fenno took the bus microphone and lectured us about respecting our hosts, the music, and each other. He was right of course. I never regretted a silly joke more than at that moment. Fenno, thanks for all the incredible times, lessons, fun, and friends.
Brent Sherwood, '80
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