Summer Session Kansan
Page 5
Russia, N.Y., KU . . .
Singing Is His Life
Rv Linda Machin
From Kansas to New York to Russia and back to the University of Kansas again.
That's been the route in recent years of Clayton Krehbiel, director of the choral division of the Midwestern Music and Art Camp and associate professor of music education.
"I MET MY WIFE back in 1948, when I first went to New York to sing with the Robert Shaw Chorale. She had been a member of the Chorale since it first formed," he said.
Prof. Krehbiel, who has been choral director at the camp for ten years, is also in charge of more than 500 KU students in choral groups each spring and fall semester.
"My wife and I don't make too many professional appearances anymore—only for the PTA, weddings, funerals and high holidays," he laughed.
THE LAST TIME he and his wife sang together with the Shaw chorale was about two years ago. They went with the group to New York at that time to record an album, "B-Minor Mass," for Victor records.
He told about the semesters' leave from the University last Fall to "recharge his battery." He toured the Soviet Union with the chorale as part of a cultural exchange cosponsored by the U.S. State Department and the Soviet Ministry of Culture.
"It was my turn to go," Prof. Krebhiel said, "my wife went last time." In 1955, Mrs. Krebhiel appeared in more than 50 concert performances with the Chorale in Israel, Turkey, Greece, Italy, France, Germany, England, the Scandinavian countries, plus Iceland.
"What impressed me most—or rather bothered me most—while on tour was that Russia seemed lacking in choral music groups," Prof. Krehbiel said. While on tour, the group heard only two concert choirs and one opera.
"Here in America we have singing in churches, singing in schools, singing nearly everywhere you go and we take it for granted," he said. "But in the Soviet Union this is not true. Apparently there is a lack of good singing and good singing voices."
He pointed out that the group traveled no further east than Moscow. He attributed the lack of choral music partially to the decline of churches in the Soviet Union.
"And then, perhaps," he said, "for some reason we just might not have been exposed to much of it."
Prof. Krehbiel, who is in charge of all choral groups and performances at KU, said he plans to add another 40-voice chorus next Fall to his list of singing groups which already includes the 80-voice concert choir, the 350-voice University chorus, and the KU Chorale.
As choral director of the Midwestern Music and Art Camp, he is responsible for organizing and conducting the 200-student chorus for three weeks, and selecting guest conductors.
"I come into contact with more students than most professors—more than 500 each semester." he said.
In his free time, Prof. Krehbiel, a father of three girls who are not particularly interested in music and study piano only under duress, said he likes to play golf and be a "do-it-your-self."
The latest of his projects was refinishing the basement into a bedroom for his oldest daughter. "She is 13 and feels considerably above her sisters," he grinned goodnaturedly, "and feels the need for her 'own private domain'. I guess we pamper our children just like everyone else does."
Tonight's Films Feature Resorts
Outdoor films to be shown tonight at 8:00 east of Robinson gym will be:
WINGS TO BERMUDA: A touch of Britain, two hours from the U.S. as the Jet Clipper flies. Bermuda's beaches and marine life — a skin-diver's paradise.
SUN VALLEY SKI SCHOOL:
Presents a course in the art of skiing,
showing the teaching methods used
by experts at Sun Valley, Idaho.
TAHITI: A glimpse of the island of Tahiti, showing scenes of the daily life of the people.
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University Summer Theatre presents
ABSURDIST PLAYS
Bald Zoo The
Soprano Story Room
by by
Eugene Ionesco Edward Albee Harold Pinter
JULY 1,2,3 & 5 curtain time 8 p.m.
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For reservations call KU 591 Season Coupon Book----$3.75 Single Admissions----$1.50 Summer School I.D. cards admit you free