He was truly an institution. Just not an institution I fit in with. I arrived at Yale at the point when the informal singing group world was parting company with the Glee Club world, and I threw my lot in with small groups. I sang with the Glee Club once, for the St John Passion junior year (I got the small solo role of the servant) and toured briefly with them the next winter when the Whiffenpoofs joined forces with the Glee Club for a mid-Atlantic states tour. This was, I believe, the last time the Whiffs toured with the Glee Club.
We didn't hit it off well. Too alike perhaps. And it took me years to figure out that I was a conductor and understand just what a fine model he was. We did have a good talk the last time I saw him, and he told me how much he loved the work that The Western Wind does.
I find myself quite emotional about his death.
