Fenno Heath, director of the Yale Glee Club from 1953 to 1992 and composer of modern works, will be giving a lecture at WPI at 4pm on April 27th. The lecture in Alden Hall is another link in his connection with WPI, which began when Professor Curran brought to WPI the music and style he learned as an undergraduate in Fenno's Yale Glee Club. Five years ago, Heath's contribution was recognized when he became an honorary member of the WPI Glee Club - one of only 3 musicians so recognized. The award was presented before the Dean of the Yale School of Music, on the Yale campus.
The Yale Glee Club under Fenno Heath was known for its distinctive style. While Harvard politely drifted on and off stage, the Yale men took the stage as conquered territory and held it with the strength and vigor of their singing. Heath inspired a strong esprit de corps in the Yale Glee Club, while composing works still ranked among the most difficult choral music for men. During this time he also trained some of the finest choral conductors in the country.
This lecture is sponsored by the WPI Humanities Department, the Student Speakers Fund, and the SocComm Fine Arts Committee. Attendees are invited to return after the lecture, at 6pm, to the WPI Glee Club Alumni Concert. There Professor Heath will conduct the Glee Club in performance of some of his own works. After all, if there's one thing the men of the Glee Club have learned in the last 30 years, it's "Fenno, Fenno, FennoŠ"