Not All Holden Choir Voices Were Heard

To the editors:

While your news article on the Holden choirs (News, “Holden Choirs Singing the Blues,” Feb. 6) rightly calls attention to the flawed conductor rotation system the choirs currently use, it unfortunately gives a distorted impression of student opinion concerning Associate Conductor Constance DeFotis.

Contrary to the article’s implications, strong student support for DeFotis has been present within the Holden choirs for years. Like many other Collegiites past and present, I think she is an exquisite musician and a caring person who has tirelessly contributed a great deal to the Collegium Musicum. I still frequently draw upon the musical and personal lessons I learned from her; I know a sizeable group of singers from my graduating class alone who agree that DeFotis is simply extraordinary.

Elizabeth A. Murphy ’01

Missoula, Mont.

Feb. 6, 2002

The writer was manager of the Harvard-Radcliffe Collegium Musicum in 2000.