During my whirlwind visit to Tulsa for our reunion, I saw Laven Sowell. I had an appointment to see him on Saturday before the dinner and got to spend a little time with him. He was sad not to be invited to our reunion, even though he doesn't go anyplace really. It is good to be able to tell him that the only teacher invited was John Butts, the class sponsor.
It was fabulous to see Laven again, and to remember how intensely he poured his energy into rehearsals, classes, and performances. In all my experience of artists, conductors, and directors, Laven Sowell really spoiled me for anyone else. Jan Kelly was saying she's real critical of singers, insisting on their finishing their words and employing good diction, otherwise she can't enjoy the performance -- she say's that's because of training she received under Laven Sowell. And it's true, there's hardly anyone as demanding, or as giving, on any podium out there.
And, as colorful as he always was, he never took anything from the focus on us, the singers, the chorus, in performance. Lots of conductors put a lot of jazz into their body language, as if to say, 'Look at me!' but never Laven. Of course, it was not always easy to keep a straight face because we all knew what any nuance of expression on his face meant. The singers under Laven channeled the music because he channeled it to them. He provided a profound experience of the repertoire, and he used his whole soul to do it.
Anyway, I was talking to Terry Pilkington* about Laven and how he stays in this very nice apartment all the time, and I said something like, 'You know, after all that he gave of himself, to his students, his choruses, audiences, Laven really is entitled to sit down and take a rest.' He's not really resting, I don't think, if he's seeing 18 students a week! But I think it's okay for Laven to take it easy, in fact, I can think of no one who deserves it more, precisely because of how much he has added to the world.
Wonderful to hear Mr. Sowell is teaching still. I wonder do his current students know how privileged they are. If they don't fully realize it now, they certainly will as life goes on. Think of the hundreds of lives upon which he has had a profound influence and to which he has brought great joy! Thank you, Betsy, for maintaining contact with him and for conveying the respect of our class.
Dear Betsy Beard and Terry Pilkington,
I have read your wonderful notes to me on this web site and you make me feel ten feet tall. Thank you so much for your kind remarks. I still teach in my apartment at Inverness Village where I am currently living.
I am enjoying life and will be seventy six on January 9, 2009. Life is good at this age. However, I believe I prefer the age of twenty nine. (Ha! Ha!)
I have a beautiful new web site which was created for me by a former Edison student, Ken Schmidt. On this web site there are many pictures of my days at Edison and many of the recordings we made during those years. Believe it or not, these recordings sound really good!! And my web site is www.lavensowell.com.
It has been an incredible high for me to visit with you on this web site. I hope you are all healthy and happy.
