1950s & Early 1960s
Interrupted
by Jack Daneker
A Concert Surprise
by Gordon E. Gillette
Missing Folks
by John GreenFeldt
Regrets and Dedication
by Arthur Kelts
Memories of a Solo
by Ronald Sharp
New England in the '50s
by Nancy (Hall) Gieniec
It Stands Out
by Janet (Nichols) Hill
From the First England Tour
by Barbara (Neff) Price
Fun in Hershey Park
by Jeannine Fulton Kennedy
Tales from New England
by Joan Mulligan Neece
"No Racial Problems"
by Lois M. Congdon
The Toughness of Walter McIver
by Lewis Crouse
True Intelligence
by Bob Custer
That McIver Experience
by George Kramer, Jr.
Every One a Memory
by James Nolan
Interrupted
by Jack Daneker
We were singing a concert in a church (I don't remember
where) and someone gave Mr. McIver a message. The choir did not
know what it was. About halfway through the concert, a tear rolled
down Mr. McIver's cheek and he walked off, leaving us singing. We
completed the concert without him. Then we were told McIver's daughter
had a bike accident with a car and he couldn't continue the concert.
A Concert Surprise
by Gordon Gillette
A hot day in June, choir was on tour at various Methodist Churches.
One bass singer wore NO SLACKS under his choir robe, which he forgot
to fasten. While making a 90-degree turn to mount the risers, his
robe parted, revealing his bright red boxer shorts to the audience.
(Occurred in June 1950.)
Missing Folks
by John GreenFeldt
Many years ago — in both Northumberland and Muncy, PA, we left
one Sunday — after concert — and realized Jack Snyder
was not on board bus. Walter McIver was more than angry as we returned
for him and we were more than late in return to campus. A similar
incident with Brian Fetterman, but not the same trip.
Regrets and Dedication
by Arthur Kelts
I have often remarked that one of the most positive experiences
of Lycoming College for me was singing in the Lycoming College Choir.
I believe that I learned more from Dr. McIver about hard work, discipline,
team work, dedication, than in any other Lycoming class or activity.
Choir was one of the best experiences of college, and provided me
with a base of principles that have helped in all my life's activities.
I have mentioned to my family and others, that a big regret was
not working to practice with the Choir the last few weeks of my
Senior year. The Choir was preparing for a trip, I believe to Scotland
and England, which was the first trip overseas for a Lycoming Choir.
I opted to participate in more graduation activity, and to go right
to work after graduation in June. I wish I had made the decision
to go with the Choir.
One of my memories is on a trip to Vermont, we were singing on stage
at the college in Montpelier. It was very hot on stage, and two
members of the Choir became ill and had to sit down on the risers.
Dr. McIver did not give any indication that there was a problem,
the rest of the Choir kept on going, eyes glued to the Director,
and finished the concert. It was ingrained in us to keep our attention
on Dr. McIver, always smile and have a look of enjoyment. Fortunately,
it was just a heat problem for the members who faltered.
Memories of a Solo
by Ronald Sharp
I'll always remember the wonderful voice of Radel Goldsboro. I could
never hum when she sang her solo (Steal Away). . . . The other memories
I'd better not mention. . . .
New England in the
'50s by Nancy (Hall) Gieniec
I remember the first New England tour the Choir went
on — between semester breaks — with these flashbacks:
— Refusing the stay overnight in a Boston hotel because they
didn't want our African members in their hotel.
— Serenading students at Keene State, New Hampshire, late at
night when we were supposed to have been in bed (we had an early
morning concert)
— Taking semester term exams in Church Sunday School rooms
— Having Choir members faint during a concert - they had chicken
pox!
It Stands Out by
Janet (Nichols) Hill
As I look back on my college years — the Choir is the one activity
that stands out. I really looked forward to choir practice. One
of the reasons I am teaching music is Walter McIver.
From the First
England Tour by Barbara Neff Price
I was a member of the first choir to travel to England.
Many happening memories – especially on the ship returning
home. We kept the chaperones walking the deck, trying to keep tabs
on all of us.
Fun In Hershey Park
by Jeannine Fulton Kennedy
One of our tours was to Hershey Park area —
we had such a good time we vowed to all meet there 5 years later.
We never made it, but I think of the fun we had together and on
the bus. Walter McIver was so great.
Tales From New England
by Joan (Mulligan) Neece
The choir was in Gloucester Bay, Massachusetts, and
as I gave pitches a buoy with a fog horm gave out a "blat"
and it drowned out my pitch – the choir picked up the buoy
pitch and we sang our song in the key of "buoy" flat.
Margy Kramer was in the choir then too.
At Montpelier, Vermont, we had to stay at a bed and breakfast called
THE GAY NINETIES — it was decorated like a brothel — that
night was a hoot!
In another home several of us stayed, a church woman opened her
home to us. It was poor, shabby furniture, etc. but clean. Next
morning we woke up about 5 a.m. to the smell of fresh baking bread
and rolls, bacon, and eggs and fresh O.J. How blessed we felt.
"No Racial Problems"
by Lois M. Congdon
I was asked about choir memories — around 1956, the choir went
out to supper in Harrisburg restaurants, and African-Americans were
badly treated. Soon after in an M.S.M. program on race relations,
an African-American from Harrisburg said they had no racial problems
in Harrisburg, and we set him straight! Another memory: Singing
in heat in June 1956 at Jurisdictional Conference in Ocean City.
The Toughness of Walter
McIver by Lewis Crouse
Two incidents that revealed the "toughness"
of Walter McIver relating to deportment for rehearsals and after
local concerts of the Lycoming Singers:
I. I decided to cut a very important rehearsal to go fishing. I
was honest about my absence — I had to apologize to the whole
choir if I wished to remain a member of the choir.
II. Easily influenced by my peers while traveling home after an
area concert by the Lycoming Singers, "we" decided to
stop at a restaurant bar for "sandwiches" and "beverages"
— all of which was forbidden — and arrived late at the
Fine Arts Building to "check-in." Because I was the driver,
I again, was asked to apologize to the whole choir on the next day
for the carload of youth, for our selfishness and disregard of established
policy.
Note: I was angry in both cases, then, but today, am very grateful
for those hard lessons.
I was stepping on the Greyhound bus for a Spring concert just as
Professor Skeath was passing. He said out of the corner of his mouth
in a stage whisper, "Lewis, when are you going to start studying
for me!" When we returned from our eastern states tour, I began
appreciating psychology "big time" — needless to
say!
True Intelligence
by Bob Custer
I could act intelligent on occasions — I married
a member of the alto section. Of course, this occurred a couple
of years after Walter G. beckoned me out the door for being late
for choir once too often! Now, there's a good man. Incidentally,
I've passed the same message to a couple of my own students. [FEELS
SO GOOD! Do Da Do Da Do Da Do]
That McIver Experience
by George Kramer, Jr.
While on tour about 1952 we were in concert at the
Bala Cynwyd Methodist Church in suburban Philadlephia. During the
concert in that beautiful Gothic church, one of the singers in the
front row lost her slip in the middle of the concert. After we finished
the number, Dr. McIver just said "pick it up and hold it under
your gown." We finished the concert with one red-faced singer.
Another time at the last stop on our spring tour, we were all set
to begin. Dr. McIver gave us his usual smile and whispered encouragement.
He lifted his hand to begin and the choir didn't sing as he began
the number. You should have seen his face. After he said, "This
never happened before" we all said it's because we love you.
Interesting! Has the choir changed over the years?
Every One a Memory
by James Nolan
Every choir experience was memorable, whether it
be the rehearsals or the concerts throughout the eastern U.S. or
the 1957 England trip.
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