Word: chorales
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: during 1990-1999
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
This fall, Bev will assume directorship of one of the nation's premiere academic choral programs, that of the University of Wisconsin, Madison. As one who has sung under Bev's direction in the Radcliffe Choral Society (RCS), Harvard/Radcliffe Chorus (HRC) and Harvard Summer Chorus, I have been given this opportunity to discuss her departure, in terms of both historical perspective and future impact...
Beverly Taylor arrived at Harvard/Radcliffe as Associate Director of Choral Activities in the fall of 1978; her hiring coincided with that of Jameson Marvin, who was named Director. Responsibility for each of the Holden choruses would rest with one conductor; Bev was assigned to RCS, while Marvin was to lead the Harvard/Radcliffe Collegium Musicum and Harvard Glee Club. In addition to her duties with RCS, Bev established HRC, a now-thriving chorus of 200 voices drawn from Harvard and the larger community, which brings student musicians into contact with more experienced performers...
...understanding that Dr. Marvin became discontent with the existing structure of the choral program over time, and, three years ago, convinced Dean of Students Archie Epps to initiate changes that would bring all three Holden choruses under his directorship, ostensibly to allow him to prepare more joint works and to address a perceptual problem among a minority of RCS members - namely, that their status was lower in the eyes of incoming first-years because they were conducted by the Associate Director of Choral Activities...
...consider the opinion of those students who favored Bev's conducting style. Why the plan did not consist of affording all three choruses the benefit of both conductors' expertise remains unclear; however, a large number of concerned students, alumni and music professionals held the opinion that the choral program at Harvard/Radcliffe would be considerably weakened by the loss of a senior conductor...
Dean Epps circulated a survey to evaluate Bev Taylor. The response overwhelmingly praised Bev and argued against the establishment of a stylistically monolithic choral program. Music professionals pointed to Bev's superb teaching skills, technical proficiency and commitment to women's choral singing; that the women singing under her direction are coached toward vocal warmth and maturity of tone, rather than the boy-choir shrillness common to many women's choruses, was highly lauded. In light of the favorable comments, Bev was offered a two-rather than one-year contract, and was invited to reapply for her position...