I sang in the Saratoga-Potsdam Choral Institute that Summer. The soprano for the deFalla was Gilda Cruz Romo I think, and Ormandy conducted the Rachmaninoff (he had just performed it earlier that season with the Philly Orchestra and Temple University choirs in Philadelphia).

 

Martin

I was there that year and had the great experience of singing a role in "La Vita Breve", which put me in front of the Philly orchestra, a pretty rare privilege for a school music teacher. I participated in three seasons of the Saratoga-Potsdam sessions and will never forget those years. Brock will always be my hero. I'm sure you feel the same way. A rare experience!

 

Fred Wygal, Bass 2

Dear Arthur, Martin, and Fred,

 

     I was there that session, too.  What information are you looking for?  I may still have programs and/or music in my archives... 

 

     I was so sorry to learn recently that Brock McElheran had passed away in Sept. of 2008.  He was the best conductor I ever sang under.  I still remember his "nerve drills", where he would suddenly change his tempo (or even stop conducting altogether!) and see how long it took for us to catch on.  I remember how he would tell us to sing with "heart on fire; brain on ice!   I was at three sessions of Saratoga-Potsdam Choral Institute, and I can still say after all these years and many musical experiences, that those sessions have been the musical highlight of my life (so far)!