Renowned music professor instructs school choir

Original Publication Date: 10.10.1969

Gifts from the children of France, recently brought to America on the French Gratitude Train, were presented last Saturday to the Most Rev. Thomas J. McDonough, D.D., J.C.D, auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of St. Augustine. Pictured examining the gifts are (from left) Bishop McDonough; A.L. Phillips, adjutant of St. Augustine American Legion post who presented the box: and the Rev. Father John W. Love, J.C.L., administrator of Cathedral Parish.

FLORIDA CATHOLIC | FILE
TALLAHASSEE | Florida State University music professor Irvin Cooper instructs a group of students at Blessed Sacrament School in Tallahassee. Cooper works with the school choir (consisting of all the students in the mid-level grades) assisted by the Adrian Dominican Sisters, who staff the parish school. Cooper had studied for 20 years how adolescents sing. He discovered in his early studies that boys ages 13–15 have distinct vocal ranges. He said adolescent boys are often lost to vocal music because they are told not to sing. And a boy at that age needs to succeed or he gives it up entirely.

Editor’s Note: Learn more about Professor Cooper’s “Cambiata Concept” and his work with adolescent singers here.