A note from Don Jones: I replied to a blind ad in the NY Times for someone to take over the drama department at a Long Island high school. I wrote a letter and before I knew it I was being interviewed by Beatrice Lawrence and Jerry himself. He had Off Broadway experience and was an amazing musician. He demanded much of his students but they knew that he was trying to make them the best they could be. The Schreiber auditorium needed some help but it was such a good space that we started our 8 year association. Like Gilbert and Sullivan, it was not always easy and, indeed, sometimes stormy but the work was the goal. I drove him to and from Manhattan so we had our staff meetings in my car early in the morning and/or last in the afternoon. Jerry moved on in the late 70's and then sadly died in California after spending some time in Mexico. He was the spark plug of all the work we did and I would be remiss not to acknowledge that.I am doing all of this from memory and at 85 that is not quite so sharp so forgive sins of commission and omission and misspelling. A note from the Editor: Mr Jones now resides in Florida and has continued his love of teaching and theater. Recently he starred as the Grandfather in a production of "You Con't Take it With You" (a particularly interesting tidbit, as he directed the editor in this production in 1977). Jones is quite busy with projects that include collaborating with Sherill Milnes, the renowned opera singer, on Opera Workshops. He also is a frequent poster on Facebook to all of his alumni students and friends offering words of encouragement. A note from Red Horowitz: Jerry was incredibly influential and a task-master, but his students adored him. He was incredibly gifted in presenting choral concerts and directing musicals. Around 1989, Evan Sarzin and I took Jerry out to dinner and started to reminisce about how great Varsity Choir was and we mused about having a reunion concert. Jerry was very interested. The Varisity Choral Society was started in 1989 as a "thank you" for the experience he gave us in choral music. I then was put in touch with Pam Meadows who was for the idea. The original thinking was to do a Christmas concert and Spring concert, somewhat based upon the Port Singers model. The choir originally started with Varsity Choir alumni but had some non-alumni in it as well. It then morphed into a community choir, and our performances are well-received. When the choir had existed 10 years and Jerry was leaving to live in Mexico, I thought the choir should end. But I received a hue and cry from a number of members about it continuing. Currently, Varsity Choral Society (and Jerry Stone's memory) are still going strong with intrumentalists and professional soloists. If you are interested in more info about VCS, email Red Horowitz at [email protected]
