Ann Arbor MI

August 1947

We arrived in Ann Arbor in early June of '47. I would be cashing in on the GI Bill of Rights for this year of study. Katherine would look for any kind of job for the summer. We were living with Abbie and Schaek who ran a girls' boarding house, but the girls were gone for the summer and space was available for us: on GI bunks. Yuck! We would have to move out in September.

Katherine found a position son serving as receptionist for two dentists. It did not pay well but it was a job and she struck up a solid relationship with her employers. They would have been pleased to have her stay on through the year.

We were both singing in the Methodist Church choir and it was excellent. Lester McCoy was director and he introduced us to anthems completely new to us. It was in one of those choir rehearsals that Katherine found out about a teaching position opened in the Senior High School. They needed a choral director for Girls Chorus.

An appointment was made with the school superintendent, Mr. Otto Haisley. There were two applicants in his office that morning. Katherine had worn a neat print dress with low-heeled brown and white pumps. Plain and simple. The other applicant was somewhat older and she came dressed fit to kill. High heels, fancy hat, purse, make-up to die for. She was called first for the interview. Into the Super's office she went, and in about ten minutes she came out and walked smartly right out the door. Not a word was spoken to Katherine.

Katherine was called. The conversation went on and on. Yes, she could handle the Girls Choirs, and what else can you do to fill your teaching load? They agreed on a couple of Study Halls and maybe a couple of sophomore English classes.

 The conversation continued, and those of you who know Katherine know that she can keep an interesting conversation going indefinitely. Mr. Haisley had been completely sold on her teaching ability and a contract for the 47-48 year was signed.

As Katherine left his office, he told her, "Young lady, I think you could teach anything!" What a nice appraisal, what a unique evaluation!

Katherine reported later to me: "I sure had him fooled, didn't I!" "Yeah, sure sweetheart." (He knew what he was talking about!)

The fun group she had to work with that year was a trio of young black girls -- sophomores. She arranged a pop song, "Symphony of Love", for them and accompanied them at the piano and they were a GREAT hit in the spring concert.

Katherine's supervisor was Dr. Marguerite Hood, who was one of my advisors on the U of M music faculty. She too liked the way Katherine could teach and perform. Her positive attitude about Katherine certainly did not do me any harm when it came to my final Oral Examinations. Dr. Hood was a member of my examining committee, along with Dr. David Mattern and Dr. William D. Revelli. Talk about facing the Almighty!