Bernie Brown, a highly significant figure in the life of Chicago Chorale, died three weeks ago, on October 7. Bernie sang with Chorale for several years early in our existence, until hearing problems forced him to stop. He also served on our board of directors, and, with his wife, Carol Jean, faithfully attended all of our Hyde Park concerts, after-parties, and fund-raising events. When I would turn around to greet the audience, there they were, in about the 6th row, a little stage right of center, smiling and applauding; a reassuring presence, indeed.
I first met Bernie when I joined the Rockefeller Chapel Choir, in 1975. He had a clear baritone voice and good musical skills, and loved the English cathedral music which was the choir’s mainstay repertoire during Richard Vikstrom’s tenure as conductor. He was associate Dean of the Chapel at that time, and was not always available on Sunday mornings to sing with us; but he always sang concerts. We were in the same section, and I sat near him. He was always friendly toward me, appreciative of my Luther College background (most people I met at U Chicago had never heard of Luther), and interested in my other musical activities.
After several year’s hiatus, I returned to the Chapel Choir in 1982, after Bernie had become Dean. We renewed our relationship, and, when I became conductor of the U Chicago choral groups, in 1984, Bernie arranged for us to present our first concert in the Chapel— a big event for the university students. This was the beginning of a fruitful collaboration between the Music Department’s ensembles and the Chapel. A few years later, when the University decided to discontinue the Chapel’s professional choral program, Bernie invited me to start a student/community choir in its place. Ultimately, this led to the creation of a full-time position for me, shared between the Music Department and the Chapel.
The Department chair at the time was Howard Mayer Brown; I called the resulting situation my “Brown Sandwich.” The two Browns were always cordial toward one another, but had very different ideas about my responsibilities toward each half of the sandwich; I often felt stretched to the breaking point by the competing demands of the two entities, which were further complicated by the demands of the president’s office, especially during the University’s centennial year (1990-91). Finally, though, we accomplished what all three of us wanted: a program that served the University and the surrounding community, made use of the resources provided by both, and provided high-quality musical experiences for its audiences and participants. It was with real sadness that I left the University in 1996, at the height of our success.
When I returned to Hyde Park in 2001, Bernie was ready to support my new venture, the independent Chicago Chorale, in every way he could. I came to realize that Bernie’s belief in me, and in the value of community-based music, was an essential ingredient in my being able to tackle such a project, and in the success Chorale has enjoyed.
Rest well, Bernie.