On vacation in Sacramento, 2007

At the beginning of 2007, Richard wrote this essay concerning his career and our place in his life. As we prepare to remember him, know that he remembered us often.

It was my pleasure

Always Remembered:

It has been over thirteen years since I looked into the faces of that group called The Orange Coast Singers, yet it seems but a few breaths away. How deep and emotional those memories have become, not so much about our performances, but for the endless rehearsals and the intense dynamic that evolved in that sweat and toil.

Over 40 years I developed an affectionate relationship with every choir that I led, but the connection with the OCS had a special quality. Perhaps it was because several of the singers were "reups," having come to Orange Coast College right out of high school to sing in the "big choir" (The Orange Coast College Chorale) where they fearlessly expressed their blatant immaturity, eventually to return as mature young men and women in their 20's and 30's for a second go-round.

Even the newbies that made their way into the O. C. Chamber Singers (years 1970 through 1985) worked so hard, gave so diligently, "forgot" themselves, set aside their youthful self consciousness to fully address music making at depth. They were fine times for all of us, I dare say.

The Singers was a wonderful choir to work with. Most of the time there was an honest sense of collaboration, although there was probably never any doubt who was trying to be in charge. The members were cooperative if not always completely happy with me, and did their best to do justice to the music-that thing that I harped on constantly. (no pun intended) Much of the joy of teaching was seeing the singers experience their own revelation that the labor had indeed paid off. And had borne rich fruit.

Who would think that I would see these singers, many musically unsophisticated, so excited after a concert that they could not sit down! Unable to express what they were feeling, but radiating it through a new presence.

How much would I change if I were to do it all over again? Well, I might try to less often be the martinet and to relax some. But it was what it was, and the efforts more often than not turned out respectably well. Could I have done better? Yes, but nearly every musician feels that, and probably should. It keeps us moving in the right direction.

There are great rewards in working with accomplished musicians. I have had that experience, particularly with the orchestral players we contracted to join us in our concerts. These were mostly L. A. area musicians, players in professional groups scattered around Los Angeles and including superb studio players. With minimum rehearsal they seemed able to grasp and deliver the challenges. Still, there is nothing like taking raw, undeveloped talent and seeing the blossom appear. So many times this was my joy to witness. Also, I must say, I was the beneficiary for they taught me much.

A few of my students have gone on to engage in successful music careers, the majority haven't. But for that significant majority my earnest hope is that by spending those hours of rehearsal-that somehow were never mere drudgery-a lasting appreciation of good music was formed. It seemed that most of the time, as we began preparation for yet another concert, I was introducing something: a new compositional style, a way of stylistically addressing the music, a new rigor that we must exercise in order to serve the musical idea. It never seemed to end; there was always something, a little different, that we must do and feel.

I miss that exchange with students, but honestly don't think I could deliver what it takes now. Maybe it is just being out of practice. Maybe not. Maybe it's a lack of requisite energy and drive. Recently I tried a church choir for a time and they were wonderful, but the toll of my years and some pervading health issues made it difficult, so I had a taste of what it would be like on a full time basis and knew that I had done the right thing to bow out when I did.

Life is good now. I relish each new musical discovery, and I make many. I am absolutely in awe of the ability of today's performers. They inspire and lift me. My time has come and gone in lots of ways as far as music is concerned, but I hope that my last breath is accompanied by the resonating presence of a musical fragment. Therein lies my soul.

RMR

January 18, 2007

 

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