Take Advantage of the Arts

To the editors:

I recently had the great honor and privilege of serving as a pianist for the Hasty Pudding Alumni Revue during the 150th Anniversary Celebration of the Pudding. As an undergraduate, I refused to participate in musical activities, whether out of feelings of fear, inadequacy or stubbornness. I actively sought to alienate those individuals in the arts at Harvard who could have provided me with a forum for my talents by walking out on their rehearsals. I regret that such half-hearted attempts and bad behavior characterized my stay at Harvard.

The musician and actor that I could have been is gone. Instead, years of service as a local community choral singer, choral director, organist and pianist have gone a long way toward making up for the damage that was done during my years at Harvard.

As the years go by, Harvard has recognized the tremendous importance, both symbolic and real, of the arts, with its myriad possibilities and challenges.

The arts are powerful media, but their burdens and responsibilities are great as well. Ultimately, their opportunities are limitless for those who know how to take advantage of them. JOEL R. DAVIDSON '74   Quincy, Mass.,   March 10, 1998