LETTERS
To
The Editor
Jazz
Pioneers
Your New Rhythm on Redstone article was well-written and fun
to read. It certainly rekindled memories of another time in UVMs
history when jazz was briefly accepted.
In 1960, a small group of us who all loved jazz formed a quintet. We worked
locally at some of the clubs, inns, and frat parties. The following year
we read about the New England College Jazz Competition, which would be
held at the old Boston Garden.
We wrote and rehearsed several arrangements, begged the University, friends,
and relatives for money and finally raised enough to buy plane tickets
and enter as the University of Vermont Catamount Jazz Band.
The group consisted of Ira Adelman (alto & tenor sax), Frank Coderre
(tenor sax, bass clarinet), Dick Austin (leader & guitar), Allan Grout
(bass), Ron Kilburn (drums), and myself on piano/arrangements. Our vocalist
was Melissa Hetzel, then the current Miss Vermont. It was a bit intimidating
walking out to an elevated stage in the center of the arena with a large
audience in the stands. We played our arrangements and at the end of the
competition were announced as the winning small band.
As the group graduated, the band ceased to exist; but for a very brief
moment, jazz was noted and applauded at UVM. Its great to read that
its now a full-time offering.
Jeff Kincaid 63
Wheaton, Illinois
Office Politics
I was troubled to read in your winter issue that President Fogel surrendered
his office in Waterman to Dr. Dean and Dan Rather. Does this mean UVM
is leaning leftwards to back the Dean campaign? Can Mrs. Clinton and Rev.
Sharpton be far behind?
If so, this gives a whole new meaning to liberal education.
Peter Robb 82
Holliston, Massachusetts
Fogels got it
I just read President Fogels Perspective in the Winter
2004 edition of Vermont Quarterly. I couldnt agree more with the
notion that the personal growth which results from the student volunteer
experience definitely remains a vivid part of ones education. The
highlight of my four years at UVM was being a Big Brother to a 10-year-old
boy from the Old North End of Burlington, and during my senior year coordinating
the Big Brother/ Sister Program through the Universitys Office of
Volunteer Programs. I have carried these experiences and the resulting
lively discussions with my professors throughout my life.
As an alumni representative for UVM at three college fairs in Connecticut
for many years, Im delighted when high school juniors and seniors
talk about their volunteer activities in the community. I know that if
they decide to attend UVM, one of the Universitys major strengths
is fostering volunteer programs through initiatives such as service-learning.
It is
so comforting and makes me proud to be an alumnus, knowing that UVMs
chief visionary experienced service-learning firsthand and strongly supports
this activity. I hope the UVM community realizes Daniel Mark Fogel is
a special person who has got it and supports his initiatives
to improve the University.
Mark O. Palladino 75
Middlebury, Connecticut
Finding Toby
Caleb Daniloffs essay, Notes from the Back Row, in the
Fall 2003 issue reminded me that I too had my Toby Fulwiler (in fact two
Tobys) at UVM. Is that not what college is all about?
Mr. Daniloff's message should be delivered to the UVM students of today
and maybe they can find, or recognize, their Tobys before
it may be too late.
Robert Wolfe 57
Danbury, Connecticut
Medals Irony
The column remembering Al Guttersons 1912 Olympic long jump gold
medal in the recent edition of VQ was bitterly ironic, appearing in the
first academic year since UVM eliminated its mens track and field
program. What a poignant reminder of the Universitys, and Vermonts,
loss.
Steve Stebbins 83
Alexandria, Virginia