A month ago my godfather Jimmy Thrower observed that he thought his wfe Edna S. Hargrett-Thrower was losing her energy and verve.  “I’m afraid it won’t be long now, Fr. Rudi.” were his exact words. The decline would have been barely perceptible to anyone except those of us who saw her on something of a daily basis, but it was indeed underway.  The 19th of April at 4:45 p.m. was not such a long time from then but, in God’s chronology, was apparently the acceptable time for Mrs. Hargrett-Thrower to die and go to glory.  She was both a Founding Trustee and an Honorary Lifetime Member of our Foundation, and with her death we lost a woman whose career in the field of music education became the head and cornerstone of  our commitment to developing young singers intellectually, socially and musically.  

I owe a great deal to Edna S. Hargrett-Thrower.  By moral example and social conduct she inspired me to continue thinking and acting in an above-average way.  She fed me with music, just as she had so many others.  She showered me with the favor of her affection and would speak of me to others as being one of her godsons. In latter days, she favored me with cheek-to-cheek “face hugs” and warmed my spirit with tiny smiles and sparkling eyes that spoke volumes when she could not use words.  Now seems an acceptable time to admit how large an impact the loss of Edna S. Hargrett-Thrower will have on her many “sugarlumps”.  Like all the rest of them, I will always hold her life in my heart.

On another note of passing:  Tai Oney has anounced his resignation from the post of Music and Education Director effective 4th June.  The move was foreseen, but came a bit sooner than he or we would have expected.  Tai spent nearly one year in our employ and in that time has, with a steadily professional hand, moved us ahead by leaps and bounds in his arena.  He leaves us in order to aggressively pursue a performance career that will not wait much longer for the rare and authentic instrument that is his remarkable countertenor voice  to burst onto a world stage.  Now is the acceptable time for his launch.  In this instance as well I mourn, but we rejoice in Tai’s  advance.

The Foundation completed our 2010 season of vocal competitions by auditioning a group of fine young voices during our Capital District adjudication that was held on Saturday, 17th April, on the campus of Howard University in Washington DC.  The level of artistry was the highest we have ever experienced in that particular region of the country, evoking powerful moments of such skillfulness and beauty some of which, in fact, moved audience members to tears.  All students, teachers, vocal coaches and parents  who participated in the GRADY-RAYAM PRIZE competition program this year earned our praise and gratitude.  Now is the acceptable time to recognize and applaud them all.  The individuals who worked to make our 2010 competition events possible – whether paid or as volunteers — also deserve to be congratulated for a job well-done.  We are thankful.

A personal word of thanks to friends and colleagues who inquire after my health.  As of Monday, April 19th I find myself  in the clutches of a radiation oncology staff determined to rid me of disease using freqent and intense laser therapy.  Now being an acceptable time by fiat of one John D. Looper, M.D., the process is barely underway.  I hope to be able to deliver”glowing” accounts of my progress over the course of the eight and one-half weeks that lie ahead!

In earnest,

Rudi Cleare