I am looking for scholarly events about the music of JS Bach or other Baroque composers, like the excellent recent ones at the Crane School of Music and Middlebury College (Spring 2011) and reviewed by Frank Whitcom in his current newsletter. As a retired college professor, I have in mind learning opportunities more than (only) performances.
Thank you for your suggestions.
Lucie Arbuthnot, Ph.D.
Sanford, Maine

“When I was a junior in high school, I was selected to attend the Vermont All-State Music Festival to sing as a member of the chorus. On arriving at Edmunds Middle School, the group was introduced to our conductor, Dr. James G. Chapman from the University of Vermont. That was the beginning of a great musical experience that continued for me until this very day. I had not given much thought to my college plans until that point, and my experience at All-State that year with you as the conductor opened my eyes to a profession that looked exciting, creative, life-long, and entertaining for those who were the beneficiaries of our labors.

While a senior at Burlington High School, I became president of the chorus and with that honor came the added work of helping to plan the annual choir exchange concert. That year, we were scheduled to exchange musical evenings with students from Warwick High School in Warwick, RI. I’m sure you must remember my frantic call to you on the day we were to leave, when our chorus director didn’t show at school and we were told we would not be able to make the trip without a conductor for the performance! When I called you and explained the situation, you graciously accepted the invitation to be our surrogate conductor and made the trip to Rhode Island, rehearsed with us there, directed the concert, and then promptly got back in your car, a VW Bug as I recall, to drive back to Burlington in order to be at St. Paul’s Cathedral the next morning to direct your choir in the service.

When I started school at UVM in the fall of 1971, I decided that I was going to work to become a musician, and particularly a choral conductor like Dr. Chapman. I auditioned for the Choral Union and was accepted as a member and continued to embrace the musical teaching of my mentor first hand as a member of his chorus. During those years, I learned so much from you as an educator and choral conductor, and on occasion, I was pleased to be asked to assist you in some way by directing the Choral Union in rehearsal or concert. One of those concerts was at Trinity College where I met my wife, Lynn, who was a student there. We didn’t see each other again for a year or more but as you can see, it was the beginning of another wonderful relationship. I’m not sure if you were directly responsible for this meeting but it is one that was precipitated by my directing the Choral Union that evening.

I remember attending Mass at St. Benoit du Lac in Quebec as a field trip for Music History class. I was mesmerized by the music of the Monks and the whole history of Gregorian chant as you taught it to us. It had such an impact on me that my seventh grade curriculum still includes a unit on Gregorian chant and I still use notes that I took in your class. I have even taken students to St. Benoit du Lac on numerous occasions myself, especially in my earlier years of teaching.”

Jim Chapman was my mentor and I am proud to call him so. He instilled in me a love for the choral arts which has been an inspiration for me for many years. When Dr. Chapman retired from UVM, he continued for several years conducting the UVM Choral Union. When he decided to retire for good from that position, I had the fortunate opportunity to begin as their music director. Imagine that, following directly in the footsteps of my teacher, mentor, and friend. I was so excited and honored. I directed the Choral Union for five years until this past December. Although my work with them ended sooner than I expected, I continued the work begun long ago in high school of sharing my love of choral music with them. I shall forever be indebted to Dr. Chapman for his affect on my life. He will be missed but never forgotten. As the Gregorian chant of the monks at St. Benoit du Lac so beautifully states:

In paradisum deducant te Angeli; in tuo adventu suscipiant te martyres, et perducant te in civitatem sanctam Ierusalem. Chorus angelorum te suscipiat, et cum Lazaro quondam paupere æternam habeas requiem.

May angels lead you into paradise; upon your arrival, may the martyrs receive you and lead you to the holy city of Jerusalem. May the ranks of angels receive you, and with Lazarus, the poor man, may you have eternal rest.

Gary A. Moreau – Past President
Vermont Music Educator’s Association

It was Jim that reaffirmed my desire to be a choral music teacher. And, one of the greatest compliments I ever had was to be invited to sing in the Choral Union when I was sixteen. The experience of singing in this group was profound. His attention to detail, his knowledge of the score and his ability to make every piece a work of art was legendary. I credit Jim for much of what I still believe a choral director should possess.

Jim was a close family friend, often coming to our house for dinner. We kept his organ in our living room. His son Chip was my brother Rick’s best friend and eventually they roomed together in college.

Jim encouraged me to attend UVM as a music major. I remember taking his Music History course. He was a wonderful, knowledgeable teacher. And for those of you reading this who were in that class also, we did NOT fool around!

The last time I saw Jim was last July at my brother Rick’s memorial service. It was wonderful for both me and my Mom to see such a dear family friend and mentor at a difficult time.

Thanks for providing an opportunity to reminisce, Frank.
Allyson