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| GRESHAM RILEY AWARD RECIPIENT 1999 |
Donald P. Jenkins
Professor Donald P. Jenkins completed 39 years at Colorado College in
the spring of 1999. during those years, Don endeared himself to countless
alumni and students, using his talents and skill to touch lives through
music. His special gift raised the level of performance in his students
and others who sang in his choirs, drawing from them more than they thought
possible and "making them better than they were before." Thousands
of alumni remember their days working, worrying and laughing about the
"big choir" or "Christmas choir" concert that always
seemed just around the corner. A smaller group may remember even more.
The Tour Choir, an auditioned group of singers who traveled the country
for two weeks each year by bus, singing in concert halls, churches and
auditoriums of all kinds, created a bond with Don Jenkins and with each
other that exists even today. when describing the Tour Choir, the New
York Times said, "they sparkled like gold nuggets," and Don's
choir knew that it was his polishing that garnered such a positive review.
Helping to plan and take part in regular tour choir reunions, and assembling
alumni choirs, Don assisted in building the connection between current
students and alumni. And Don has continued to keep that connection alive
by directing student choirs at alumni events. The alma mater sung today
a the beginning of this program is being sung again at many college assemblies
because Don encouraged the Alumni Association to make it happen.
The Alumni Association recognizes don's continuing commitment to both
his current and former students. This commitment is made all the more
remarkable when one realizes that he has been just as involved with the
community as the conductor of the Colorado Springs Chorale since 1967,
and as cofounder of the Colorado Opera Festival and its General Director
since 1970. Don represents that which is special about the Colorado College
experience - a model of a teacher whose influence is forever.
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