An Apology to Clayton H. Krehbiel
Let me tell you a tale about how Professor Clayton H. Krehbiel of Florida State University wanted me very badly to sing in his choir, how I got out of it, and why I’m so sorry.
Krehbiel’s Musical Legacy
When I met him in graduate school in 1983, Professor Krehbiel was in the autumn years of a particularly distinguished musical career having already been director of choral activities at FSU since 1971. Before that, he had recorded for RCA, conducted the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus and collaborated with, among others, Fred Waring and Robert Shaw! It was considered an honor to sing in his chorus, and I certainly would have done that under different circumstances.
A Musical Dilemma
But this was the last semester of my master’s degree program, and I didn’t want to subject my voice to the fatigue of singing in the university choir. What to do?
Noodling My Options
I was already singing the lead in a wonderful but challenging opera, Così fan tutte by Mozart while completing final course work and preparing for oral examinations. Professor Krehbiel’s choir was gearing up for an enormous work, Carmina Burana, by Carl Orff, and I just didn’t want to deal with that challenging choral part. Too heavy, too loud–too much!
The No-Sweat Choir Swap
There was a fly in the ointment, though. I still had to complete one more choir credit to graduate. As luck would have it, a conducting-major friend of mine desperately needed singers for a tiny, pick-up chorus he’d formed to help him get credit for his degree. The group was small, the soprano section very thin, and I could get choir credit by singing there. No competition, no massive wall of sound to try to blend into–it was irresistible.
Facing the Maestro
Professor Krehbiel (who seemed to know a lot about what singers were doing!) got wind of this and dragged me into his office. “Why aren’t you singing in my choir?” he scolded. Well, you see, sir, I explained, my friend is conducting this tiny choir, and he really needs my help. I have to help a friend because he was so earnest and sincere and in need, etc. “You should be in a better choir!” he grumbled, but eventually he let me go. Whew! Dodged a bullet, I thought.
Facing the Music
People had been asking me why I hadn’t tried out for the soprano solo part in Carmina Burana. I sagely answered that though it would be an honor, I didn’t want the extra burden right now as my plate was quite full.
A Note too High
Carmina Burana offers a very attractive soprano solo opportunity involving very little singing, and it’s impressive. But, for those in the know, there’s a passage with a high D (that’s “D6,” you know–the one just above High C!). I’m a lyric soprano rather than a coloratura, so that’s really getting up there! I was pretty sure I didn’t have that note to begin with, so I was eager to give it a miss. Professor Krehbiel gave it to another fine soprano. Good for her, I thought. That’s all good!
A Twist of Fate
As the semester progressed, there came a fateful day and a knock at the door of my professor’s studio class (coincidentally, I was singing in class at that moment). Professor Krehbiel was outside wanting to talk to me. It seemed that the soprano soloist had gotten sick, and he needed me to perform the solo in Carmina Burana. Of course, I said yes.
A Lucky Break
So, without subjecting myself to the rigors of singing the chorus part, I was given the rare opportunity, as a student, to sing the soprano solo in Carmina Burana with no audition! The D6 was a challenge, but I somehow cranked it out for the dress rehearsal and the performance. All went well, and I had the fun of saving the day. By the way, the small pick-up choir I’d been singing in joined with Professor Krehbiel’s university choir for the performance. That was nice!
Thank You, Sir!
So, to Professor Krehbiel : I’m sorry! I’m sorry you were offended when I wiggled out of singing in your choir. I’m honored that you gave me the opportunity, in spite of that, to join your performance of this marvelous work. You were so gracious, and I’m glad I met you and had that rare experience. Thank you for all you gave to the world and to me on that day in 1983.