New England Conservatory of Music - Neume Yearbook (Boston, MA)

Page 12 text:

5n y lemorLam . . . Drop Thy still dews oi quietness, Till all our strivings cease; Take from our souls the strain and stress, And let our ordered lives confess The beauty of Thy peace. — Whittier On January 29, 1961, a heart attack claimed the life of a genuinely devoted faculty member, Simone Riviere. An instructor of French and diction at the Conservatory since 1935, she earned her Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Law and Master of Law Degrees from Bordeaux University. A Certificate of Paris was obtained from the Institute of Phonetics and the Psalmes Academiques from the French government for achievement in teaching. Simone Riviere headed the French department of Chestnut Hill School and the Choote School in Brookline along with the Boston Center for Adult Education. She gave programs of French dramatic recitations and songs throughout various French organizations in New Englan d. Busily engaged in radio broadcast work, through 1956-1958, Simone Riviere was in charge of the French Hour, and during the second World War gave French broadcasts over the short-wave French Foreign Station. Dr. Charles Munch paid tribute to Madame Riviere from the stage of Symphony Hall in 1955 for teaching French Diction to a chorus of two hundred persons. The memory of Madame Simone Riviere will always be hallowed in the hearts of her students for her patience, understanding, and warm charm. To the sorrow of us all, we humbly regret her sudden demise. 8

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DEDICATION CHESTER W. WILLIAMS, upon his arrival at the New England Conservatory, served as a member of the theory faculty for seven years. He was appointed Dean of the Conservatory in 1953 and has memorably upheld his office until I960 when he was named Executive Dean and Dean of the Graduate Division. An adept oboist during his high school years, he furthered his musical matriculation at Oberlin where he earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music Theory. An active member behind ivy walls, Mr. Williams participated in the Conservatory Orchestra, the College Glee Club, and he was also the student director of the college band. Further studies by Mr. Williams ensued at Harvard University where he achieved his Master of Arts Degree. Here Dean Williams was a member of the chapel choir and assistant director of the Harvard orchestra. The busy and versatile life of Dean Williams is well depicted by his various musical associations. A member of Pi Kappa Lambda, national honorary music society, he has been the assistant conductor and first oboist with the Wellesley Community Orchestra and guest conductor of the Amphion Club of Melrose and the Cape Ann Symphony in Gloucester. Students will always cherish their thoughts of Dean Williams for his genjaine concern and understanding of their problems along with his sincere interest and empathy in coping with the hurdles confronting any who seek his council. To you. Dean Williams, is humbly dedicated the 1961 edition of the Neume.

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DR. JAMES ALIFERIS President As I was about to write this statement for the NEUME, my eye fell upon the following phrase in a review of a Conservatory concert — the thrilling pitch of eloquence . The reviewer ' s use of this phrase is, I believe, one which describes very well an important accomplishment that the Conservatory tries to attain. I hope that members of the graduating class will always remember and keep it close to their hearts, for music, more than any other expression of man, is able to communicate and reach all — both old and young, rich and poor — because of its thrilling pitch of eloquence . May you enjoy this blessing throughout the life that you will devote to music. 9