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When I was in college, I was a member of the Rutgers Oratorio Choir. I'd been in a choir for as long as I could remember, though I think the formal concerts/choirs started in about 3rd grade. Bergenfield had an excellent music program and they got you signing and playing instruments on the early side. When I went off to college, choir was the only formal music I kept up with. (I'd let clarinet and percussion fall by the wayside) For the final concert I ever performed in a choir, I had the distinct joy and pleasure to perform music not only written by, but to be conducted by, Dave Brubeck. Yes, that Dave Brubeck. I only got to meet him personally for the dress rehersal, and the performances. He was, to say the least, most gracious. When he was there conducting us, and talking to us, you got the distinct feeling like he felt we were doing him a favor by performing his music. Can you imagine?
When that semster started, and we got the sheet music, I didn't even know who Dave Brubeck was. Or rather, I'd heard his music before, but I didn't put two and two together between the person who had written the choral music we were performing and the jazz musician I'd heard on the radio. I did learn enough by the time of the concert to have a respect for him. Though I'd probably have had that no matter what since I don't think I'd ever really performed an entire concert of music by a single composer before, with that person conducting. That alone was daunting. How would he feel about how we performed his work? But I was young and niave enough to not have been awestruck, no moment of: OHMYGODIMONSTAGEWITHDAVEBRUBECK. If I'd been in that choir today (which I could be, if it were still around, because it was open to students, faculty and alumni, but is sadly to the best of my knowledge no more once the founder/conductor of the Choir retired) I would have been at least initially in a bit of shell shock. And I would have been much more aware of how rare and spectacular that opportunity was.
Out of many experiences I had in college, this was a singular and cherished one. I wish I still had a copy of the music or program from it. Alas, all I've been able to find of the concert was a single flyer that I kept with a box of mementos. But yes, I had the distinct pleasure and honor of having met and performed with a truly singular talent in music.
He shall be missed.
When that semster started, and we got the sheet music, I didn't even know who Dave Brubeck was. Or rather, I'd heard his music before, but I didn't put two and two together between the person who had written the choral music we were performing and the jazz musician I'd heard on the radio. I did learn enough by the time of the concert to have a respect for him. Though I'd probably have had that no matter what since I don't think I'd ever really performed an entire concert of music by a single composer before, with that person conducting. That alone was daunting. How would he feel about how we performed his work? But I was young and niave enough to not have been awestruck, no moment of: OHMYGODIMONSTAGEWITHDAVEBRUBECK. If I'd been in that choir today (which I could be, if it were still around, because it was open to students, faculty and alumni, but is sadly to the best of my knowledge no more once the founder/conductor of the Choir retired) I would have been at least initially in a bit of shell shock. And I would have been much more aware of how rare and spectacular that opportunity was.
Out of many experiences I had in college, this was a singular and cherished one. I wish I still had a copy of the music or program from it. Alas, all I've been able to find of the concert was a single flyer that I kept with a box of mementos. But yes, I had the distinct pleasure and honor of having met and performed with a truly singular talent in music.
He shall be missed.
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