WHAT I HAVE to GIVE They Come to Me and Mingle in My Class
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WHAT I HAVE TO GIVE They come to me and mingle in my class -- 38 of them -- the poor, the well, the over-fed, the dirty, the crude, the frightened, the well mannered, the belligerent. Some dined on balanced menus last night; others filled hungry stomachs with tainted leftovers; still others drank strawberry pop for dinner -- a touch of tasty luxury which fleetingly nourished the soul but not the body. The little boy who sharpens his pencil too often and talks too much is remembering the wonderful popcorn balls his mother used to make - but she now lives far away and there is much unhappiness for a little boy learning to live without a mother who did gentle, personal things for him. The little girl who talks too loudly is making noise to cover the gnawing of an empty stomach -- and an empty soul. She has never had anyone to do gentle, personal things for her. The unruly boy in the back row has never felt the warmth and security of love; he resists all efforts at stern disci- pline but softens at a kind word or the ruffling of his funny crew cut. The boy with the grimy clothes and body has never under- stood why stronger people do not pick on weaker ones; he is the target of his father's drunken strength - and he strikes blindly at all of us in a rage he dares not show at home. Thirty-eight young, squirming individuals -- happy and unhappy -- not a class to be lunped together. They look to me for knowledge and what have I to give? Yet I was once like them. For I've known fear, felt shame at little things, cringed with pangs of mediocrity, searched eyes for friendliness. Let me, before I speak, remember that and recall too the lash of a teacher's tongue when I was in the seventh grade and couldn't understand a problem in arithmetic. Above all, let me soften the sharpness of my own tongue that no young personality will carry from my classroom the scar of humiliation. -- Helen Chapman, (from Walter W. Davis, Fayetteville, Ark.) CHORISTERS GUILD LETTERS Volume XV 1963-64 September Number 1 Arthur Leslie Jacobs, Editor Helen Kemp, Nancy Poore Tufts, Associate Editors Eleanor D. Fossick, Sally Lane, Christine Kallstrom, Contributing Editors Published for its members by the CHORISTERS GUILD Ruth Krehbiel Jacobs, Founder Box 211 Santa Barbara, California Copyright © 1963 Choristers Guild - 1 - AU REVOIR Under the date of June 14, 1963, I sent president Nita Akin a letter, a copy of which follows. :'After much earnest deliberation, and with the deepest feelings of regret, because of health reasons, I hereby submit my resignation as executive-secretary of the Choristers Guild to be effective September 1, 1963 which is the beginning of a new fiscal year of the Guild. "As you know, this act has been in my thinking for quite sometime, but has become definitely necessary; I can no longer continue the immense responsibilities of guid- ing the Guild. The Guild, particularly in recent years since Ruth's death, has been my life. Through the years, I have watched it grow since it was only a dream in Ruth's hopes. Now in its fourteenth year, it has already attained world-wide stature, and I know that under capable leadership, the potential which lies all about us for the Guild, may begin to be realized. "You may very well understand that this action penetrates my very being, and wrenches my soul. I'm certain however that under your leadership, the Guild will continue its onward march, and that feeling prevents for me, an emotional upset. "May God ever guide and bless you in this work, under your leadership." Sincerely, Arthur Leslie Jacobs. I shall continue as a member of'the Board of Directors of the Guild, and have, agreed to assist new leadership for a period not to exceed six months. This issue of the Letters has been completely my responsibility as will probably be, the Octo- ber issue. After that, I shall, as quickly as possible, relinquish the reins as editor. During the Dallas seminar, five members of the. Board of Directors were present at one time, Nita Akin, Mabel Boyter, Leslie Jacobs, Norma Lowder and Les Whittlesey. These, president Akin called together as a special committee which met for several hours. The committee formulated numbers of recommendations to bring before the full board. The president then authorized special meetings of each the Stockholders and Directors. The date, determined a bit later, was set for July 8, 1963. At the full meeting of the Board in Memphis, Tenn., the legal headquarters of the Guild, on July 8, my resignation was accepted; Dr. F.L. Whittlesey of Dallas, Texas was called as executive secretary-treasurer of the Guild; a move from Santa Barbara to Dallas sometime during the late fall of 1963 was authorized. Other matters to implement these changes were discussed and approved. The Board further, in order to meet objections of the Federal Internal Revenue Service in our corpor- ation charter provisions, voted certain changes, and directed our Tennessee at- torney to prepare such changes and make application to the state of Tennessee to grant them. Further, the Board adopted a proposal to provide additional permanent Stockholders to present to the Stockholders at the annual meeting to be held late in September. The Stockholders, or better, Voting Members, met in a special meeting on July 8, 1963 after the meeting of the Board of Directors. All recommendations brought to the meeting by the Board were approved, and ordered carried out. Lee and his wife plan to spend September in Santa Barbara to become acquainted with the operational details of the Guild. As soon as suitable quarters can be lo- cated the Guild will move its operational headquarters to Dallas, Texas. In the meantime, please continue to use the Santa Barbara address. - 2 - Meet FEDERAL LEE WHITTLESEY Lee really needs no introduction to Choristers Guild members, for he has been a distinguished Guild figure as an American Church musician for many years. He is an original member of the Guild, a fact which' testifies to his inter- est in childrens choirs, and loyalty to the Guild, and to the program and standards which the Guild proclaims. For the past fourteen years, Lee Whittlesey has directed the music of Highland Park Methodist Church, Dallas, Texas, the largest in point of membership in Methodism. The music of the church has attract- ed wide attention not only for its high quality, for its development of its own resources, but for its God-centered approach, Dr. Whittlesey's previous positions have been long term ones in the Church of the Covenant, Erie, Penna., Westminster Presbyterian Church, Detroit, Mich., and others. He earned a Ph D in music from the Detroit Institute of Musical Arts in 1941. The Handbell movement in this country found in him an early enthusiast and supporter. As an author, Dr. Whittlesey has published some works, widely respected and used, the most notable being, "A Comprehensive Program of Church Music", published by Westminster Press in 1957. He and Jessie, who has remained modestly in the back- ground of his public activities, have four daughters, and now enjoy eleven grandchildren. Lee loves childrens choir work, it being his greatest joy, and is exceedingly happy with the prospect of entering this phase, as a Christian music educator, of his long, notable career. The Guild will move forward under his clear and vigorous leadership, and you will profit mightily from such leadership, and the ever continuing outreach and ongoing of the Guild. It is a great pleasure, privilege and honor to introduce to you, Federal Lee Whittlesey, as the new executive of the Choristers Guild. Now here is Lee himself with a message to you.---- In the Choristers' Little Hymnal I find this round: "Make new friends but keep the old; One is silver, the other gold." As I assume my new activities one thing I hope to do is just that: make new friends but keep the old ones too. Some of you I have known and admired for years you are the gold that has lined my path and made my life so enjoyable. Others will be new friends you are the silver threads enriching my new life and experiences. How fortunate I am. As I begin to guide our organization, I know that I am following in the path walked by two of God's most devoted and able teachers, who, in turn, walked in the shadow of the Great Teacher. I feel unworthy to be their successor but I propose to walk this same way to the best of my ability. I see my Choristers Guild desk -- --as a "clearing house" for your ideas to be shared with the other members of our Guild family; --as a "watch-dog", guarding your interests and your investments; --as a "look-out", keeping in touch with new materials and techniques which will help you in your teaching; --as a "developer" of any new ideas I may have; - 3 - --as an assistant, when requested, in regional workshops, and the business end of the summer seminars; --as the editor of the monthly Letters which you, by your suggestions and contributions, will help to write. Please call on me when you believe the Guild will be able to help you in your effort to develop "Christian Character through Childrens Choirs". Your inquiries, your sugges- tions, and your criticisms are covetously invited. It is your Guild. I have been employ- ed to serve you.