Many Will Miss Conductor's Gifts

I must respond to your article last Wednesday regarding the departure of Beverly Taylor, the director of the Radcliffe Choral Society, from the Harvard ranks ("Taylor is Replaced as Choral Director," News, May 24). The article, by Victoria E.M. Cain, ignores completely any positive work Ms. Taylor accomplished during her time there, and hints strongly that students and members of the extanded Harvard Community are happy to see her leave.

The circumstances surroundig Ms. Taylor's decision to leave include much bad management on the part of the University. Her latest contract renewal process was drawn out by the offices of Director of Choral Activities Jameson Marvin and Dean of Students Archie C. Epps III for over a year. During that time, Ms. Taylor's commitment didn't fail; her work for Harvard continued unabated, despite the fact that she was without a contract.

As I mention above, Ms. Cain's article implies that members of the community are happy about Ms. Taylor's departure. Considering the overwhelmingly positive responses Ms. Taylor received on the questionnaire passed out to her choruses during the contract reneval process, one must have winder how hard Ms. Cain must have searched for such negativity concerning Ms. Taylor's work at Harvard.

Ms. Taylor's departure from the Harvard music arena will be damageing to that department. She has been a major link to the Boston musical community, and under her direction, the one Harvard chorus that is open to members of the community outside Harvard has brought many people onto the campus.

Also missing from yesterday's article was any mention of Ms. Taylor's musical accomplishments. Beyond her obvious dedication to the Harvard community, she has been very busy furthering the musical life of the Boston area. She is the director of the Boston Bar Association Orchestra, and the Back Bay Chorale, under her leadership, has become one of the premiere volunteer choruses in an area where there are many good ones.

Her musicianship and leadership have been the subject of many recent articles in The Boston Globe. She has become a favorite among local directors and with amny vocal soloists and instrumentalists. She is well-loved by those who work with her for her musicality, her ability to motivate, and for her personality.

In closing, I wish Bev Taylor the best of luck. She has landed one of the premiere academic positions in the nation. I hope that the university of Wisconsin treats her with the love, respect and proffssionalism that was so clearly missing at Harvard. Alan L. Rothschild   Waltham, MA