Westminster Choir College - Quadrangle Yearbook (Princeton, NJ)

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Dedication We, the first class of 1965, being in part the first full class of public school music educators to graduate from the Westminster Choir College, feel it fitting and proper to dedicate this edition of the Quadrangle to Dr. Edward Eicher. Because of Dr. Eicher’s devotion, sincere dedication, and loyalty to the college, he has given much of his time and ability to development of the music education program on our campus. Dr. Eicher has shown a sincere interest in every student and has himself exemplified the life and work of a dedicated teacher and musician. In recognition of these qualities and his outstanding leadership ability Dr. Eicher has been appointed acting dean of the college. Through his hard work and effort we carry with us a sense of dedication, patience, sincerity and loyalty to the cause of promoting good music in public schools. 6

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7 2 UTemoriam There was a man sent from God, whose name was John, whose preparation, purpose, persistence and persuasion combined to give this world a new sense of choral sound. With priest-like devotion to and confidence in the best in humanity he set about attracting people from all walks of life to the vocal approach to choral music. To this man John each tomorrow was a day in which one or more of these people from previous walks of life would find a new expression,—a new height in his choral art. One will never fully fathom the magnetic at¬ traction of this great Christian. However, one facet is clear and is one we should emulate, no one has ever been more available to humankind. His avail ability was not limited to the Winter School and Alumni, but to the many years of Summer School and its constituents, the clinics, the master classes, just anywhere along his busy way he could be found helping someone discover something that was not evidence before. This great servant knew that there would be no maximum effort unless there was JOHN FINLEY WILLIAMSON 1887-1964 in positive direction. Dr. Williamson’s ability to project his imaginative powers into another being was the basis of his conducting technique. Also, he knew the myriad music approaches necessary to prepare the young musician as he learned to use empathy. He knew that knowledgeability alone did not make a con¬ ductor and with this in mind he set about creating and inaugurating departments that would give the student more musical information in order to approach the mysterious world of choral conducting. Along with availability and the ability to teach the very essence of choral conducting, Dr. Wil¬ liamson has left with us a facet of his personality that says, “Face the future with confidence.” Never was he known to want the “pasture” and freedom from creative labor. To spend a “day off” with him was to spend a day speculating on tomorrow’s possibilities and its rewards. Years ago a chapel speaker referred to Dr. Williamson as the one with “Faith to move mountains.” Taken from a speech by Dr. George Lynn 5

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Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable, and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2 5uicfa ance 7