Harry Jacobson—1

Gerry Rutter

Joe Ferguson

I love to sing. I sing in the shower, I sing in the car, and I sing in my home. I sing along to songs on the radio, to songs on my CDs, and to the songs in my head.

I love to sing but I do not sing well. I cannot carry a tune in the proverbial bucket. I sing for my own pleasure and the pleasure of my wife, who suffers through my singing without comment, and my dog, who leaves the room when I sing.

A seminal moment in my life occurred when I was in the eighth grade at Seneca High School. All 8th graders had to take music. It was my fate to be in Joe Ferguson's music class.

It was one of the first times we sang in Mr. Ferguson's class that I remember most vividly. We had come to a stopping point in the tune we were singing and Mr. Ferguson moved my seat next to that of Geraldine Rutter, who could sing. I suppose he hoped I would learn from her to carry a tune. Alas it was not to be. Eventually, Mr. Ferguson just asked me to mouth the words without vocalizing.

After high school I enlisted in the Navy. One of my Navy buddies, Dave Stokes (Dallas Texas), was a musician. He had played in his high school band and, as I recall, he had a very good voice. I remember his helping me to sing and I remember having had some success. It was only one lesson and I didn't practice nor did I retain any of what he taught me but it makes me wonder if it isn't possible for me to learn to sing.

Maybe I'll look for a singing teacher. Joe Ferguson would you like a second chance?

Harry Jacobson-Beyer

May 26, 2008 

Seneca High School—Class of '63                     http://www.senecaclassof63.com