When I left the Choir School in 1959 I became the choir librarian under William Self for a summer or two and then served on the altar at St Thomas until Transfiguration Choir recruited me and The N.Y. Pro Musica sent us all packing for a European tour with the 13th century opera "The Play of Daniel". I owe so very much to my years at Saint Thomas and have oh so many photos from those special days still in my office at home.

     Jack V. Austin as I recall...always playing a cardboard keyboard...wanted to be an organist like Mr. Self and Mr. Wallace. We all got to watch and hear Marcel Dupre in recital in 1958 on the great organ in our beloved church. William Lamb (59) from Atlanta whose mother was the very first Federal judge in Georgia, Fred Roberts whose great grandfather fought in the Civil War. Charles Dewey, Richard Adams (now deceased) sang so beautifully... Panis Angelicus.... Mark Bentley, my best friend and Central Park buddy along with Phillip Schultz, Jack and Bob Neithhammer who taught me respect for myself and others. Kit Culken and his sweet mother, who taught us English I think.....Mr White (we called him "Rabbi") our pastor and guide...a teacher you could go to and seek good advice. Mr. Youman our French teacher, Mr Painter, Mr Kettle, Mr Porter our Headmaster in those years, Dr Frederick Morris, our rector, Pastor Sydney Lanier III, our associate rector, grandson of famous American Southern poet Syndey Lanier...the lake named in his memory is about 20 miles from my Marietta, Ga. home. Miss Klinger our housemother, Miss Zeckler our administration head, Mr Batchelor our great art and crafts teacher...Gilbert and Sullivan operettas those fun years......Pirates of Penzance, All at Sea, Mikado starring Jack Austin and Bill Wamaster, HMS Pinnafore..oh what memories, Jerry Rizzo a good pal, Gregory Guy from Syracuse, Greg Lozier, Whit Schuyler our prefect, David Hill was the one to watch out for, avoid in dodge ball! Our recording in the sanctuary as the Tishman building (666 Fifth Avenue) was being dynamited yards from our microphones...in 1956. Trevor Lamb, Billy Lamb, Richard Kelly, Fred Hoffer, Stanley Rogders from Cape Cod, Shepard Strudwick, Wiilam Berry of NJ., Robert Edmunds, Tony Sholtz, so many memories still fresh in my 62 year old mind. What a blessing the Choir SChool tradition was to live!  I will strive to uncover some photos from those days and pass them along to you soon. 

Best regards, David B. Ohmann