Corning Community College - Corona Yearbook (Corning, NY)

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The Rise and Fall of the C.C.C. Chorus by Mary Lee Graham When Fall Semester opened in September ’61 The singing groups at C.C.C. all added up to none. But Mr. Joseph Crupi came to wake our vocal cords, Despite the fact that few voices around could win awards. He had Great Expectations on that first audition day And came with itchy fingers, the piano for to play. He searched the Loft in hopes of finding smiling mugs galore. Instead he just encountered sheepish grins of three or four. Defying all discouragement, he smiled encouragingly And had the waiting students sing “My Country ’Tis of Thee,” Then gravely said, “Of our new College Chorus, you’re the roots,' And, dedicated to his post, appointed them recruits. Eventually o’er the weeks the chorus slowly grew. Twenty-one well-sung students, at last, made their debut. Received well by their audience at the Corning Country Club, They sang at convocation shortly after (their last flub.) When Spring Semester opened in 1962 The members of the chorus were reduced to very few. But Mr. Crupi still came, oh-so-hopefully, each week. Why the chorus dwindled steadily, to him was surely Greek. Mr. Crupi As time went on, sopranos left the chorus one by one, So three altos were cast aside. A male chorus begun, Which soon was not a chorus, but a barbershop quartet. “Good gosh!” thought Joseph Crupi, “How much smaller can we get?” CHORUS The last I heard, rehearsals are attended by one man Who sits on the piano bench and plays the best he can. The only faithful member of the group was “Uncle Joe.” And in our hearts, a memory, the chorus is no mo’. 28

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Pat O’Leary, treasurer Craig Whitman, vice president Joan Kiehle, secretary

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CIRCLE K Bill Taylor, Rev. Gerald R. Hertzog, Dana L. Tingler, Jerry Wilcox The Circle K Club plays an unique role, both on campus and off, by participating in such areas as the Blood Bank, thereby providing the opportunities essential for good leadership and character build- ing. The uniqueness of the Circle K Club stems from its motto, “We Build,” a building of justice, liberty, democracy, and a better world in which to live. The Club is not merely a service organization but a driving force, developing leadership for tomorrow while creating a better college, university and community today. John Carlineo Lou Cicconi 29