Page 64 - MLD Book

OPUSELEVEN November13*Klavieruebung SecondGroup Performers: Glenna Metcalfe, Timothy Baker, Dr. David Mulbury, Lisa Lewis, Margaret Dickinson, Matilde Ertz (harpsichord for the four duets)
*
And there you have it for Bach in 2012! This was a very rewarding undertaking and would continue into all of 2013 so lectures 12-21 will be listed in 2013. The enthusiasm for the scholarship that Melvin offered, the delight at the artistry of the performers, and the sheer joy of coming together in that space for Bach was something I will always remember. It was a way we all could honor Melvin with respect and admiration, something he needed so badly as the health issues continued but did not overwhelm him, partly because of this
outlet. Thanks in retrospect to everybody!And now we come to the unpleasant part of 2012. Melvin and Herbert had been able to be present every Sunday since December 4, 2011, with the help of people like Harvey bringing Melvin, and Herbert’s friends bringing him. Melvin was able to conduct from the end of the first row (console side), although it was harder to see him from his sitting position, and we were able to put Herbert on the other side so he could see too. It was very important for Melvin to feel needed and to know that he still could contribute musically by conducting, and it was the same for Herbert. And what kind of people were we if we did not show compassion and caring for one another? After all, that should be why we were there. Most of the choir was very patient, loving, and understanding, but a few of them grumbled because they couldn’t (wouldn’t try to) see his beat and made no effort to do so. It was increasingly hard for him to raise his arm as high as some wanted. Some complained to Erdman, and by late spring, he started telling me that I would either have to get rid of Melvin or find something else for him to do, and besides, it was not convenient for us to rehearse in the chancel. Other, more important things should be taking place there before a service. He said eight people had complained. I had noticed that during coffee hour one Sunday, people were seated around a table talking to him. That’s probably the eight he was talking about – all in one incident! Melvin never had an idea that Erdman was badgering me about that, thankfully, as I was abletokeepthatfromhim. Erdmanwascarefultocautionmenottotellanyoneelsewhat he was demanding of me, and threatened a breach of confidentiality if I did so. By mid August, the demands grew more and more frequent, and he involved the executive committee into it. Will Cary was the senior warden and Molly Isaacs McLeod was junior, and they met one Thursday right after Erdman and I had gone to Bob Weaver’s to plan Norma’s funeral music. I was again cautioned not to say anything but to get rid of Melvin. I refused. The following Sunday, August 18 I think, I decided that they were probably going to do something horrible because I was adamant that I would not accede to their wishes, so I made a speech to the choir upstairs (we rehearsed part of the time there before we met Melvin and Herbert downstairs), simply thanking them for their patience and compassion in working with two wonderful people who were experiencing health problems that I hoped