After being discharged from the U. S. Air Force, I returned home and began helping out again in Dad’s store, all the while wondering what my future would hold.
It wasn’t long, however, before I received a letter that would change my life forever. It was from William Strong, Director of Admissions, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN. He wrote that he had reviewed the Assistant Director’s earlier rejection letter and added “should you ever be in the area, do stop by.” I was soon on a train, clarinets in hand, for an overnight trip to Indianapolis where I would board a bus to Bloomington.
After meeting and discussing my hopes with Dr. Strong, he arranged for me to meet George Kreuger, Director of the University Choir who also served as a student counselor at the School of Music. He, in turn, sent me to audition for Henry Gulick, Woodwind Department Chairman and professor of clarinet. After the audition, Mr. Gulick walked me back to the music building. As I waited anxiously, he presented his evaluation to professor Kreuger. After what seemed like an eternity, Mr. Gulick finally left and I was ushered back into Kreuger’s office. Although he was a kind and caring person, he stood about 6′ 6″ and was, without a doubt, a very daunting figure. He said, using his deep bass voice, “have a seat” and, looking directly into my eyes, asked, “when can you be back?” I said, “you mean next September” and he repeated, this time with a little more energy, “when can you be back?” to which I replied, “next week”. He shook my hand and said, “have a good trip, see you Monday!” Without future ado, I was back on the bus to Indianapolis for the return train trip to Philly where I gathered my belongings and got my car ready in preparation for the long drive to Bloomington. This, indeed, was “the first day of the rest of (my) life” to quote Charles Dederich. The following Monday I was back in Bloomington, settled in a dorm room and enrolled in classes as the third week of the second semester got under way. What a whirlwind! I had met three people and, after receiving their stamps of approval, was now where, just a week before, I never thought I would be: studying music at one of the most prestigious music schools in the country – truly stunning. A dream come true.
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