Alan Harler UMASS Voice Instructor and Chorale Director 1968-1973

According to UMASS Faculty Member Archives, Alan Harler joined the UMASS-Amherst Music Faculty when he became a ‘Music Instructor’ in 1968.

According to a Biography about former UMASS-Amherst Music Faculty member from 1974-2007, E. Wayne Abercrombie, Dr. Abercrombie succeeded Alan Harler as Director of the Madrigal Singers in 1974.

Is it possible that Dr. Richard E. du Bois, Doric Alviani, as well as Alan Harler were all Directors of ALL UMASS Chorale activities on a concurrent basis?

According to UMASS-Amherst alumnus, Dick Whitney [’73],  Mr. Whitney indicates that “the Concert Chorus was directed by Professor Alan Harler”
See Photo of UMASS Choral Concert 1970

I was an instrumental

performance major as well as instrumental music education major at UMASS-Amherst between 1967 and 1972. And, between 1967 and 1972 no vocal oriented curriculum or participation in the UMASS Choir were requirements for a BA degree in either instrumental performance or instrumental music education majors at UMASS-Amherst.

Other than socially, core music theory or music history classes, or supporting a vocal musical faculty member in a faculty recital as member of the UMASS Orchestra, I had very little contact with Music Faculty members or student music majors that were associated with ‘vocal’ related curriculum.

I do not remember the name of Alan Harler from the Author’s UMASS-Amherst 1967-1972 enrollment period. However, other than the name, Alan Harler, even the photograph of Mr. Harler that is published this page does not jar my memory of anything about Alan Harler whatsoever.

To me, the memory of Alan Harler is even more of a mystery than Dr. Richard E. du Bois.

There is an extensive Bio regarding Alan Harler regarding Mr. Harler’s activities as the Artistic Director of the Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia beginning in 1988. However, this Bio makes no reference whatsoever to Alan Harler’s association with the UMASS-Amherst Music Department between 1968 and 1973.

Also, the Bach Cantatas Website published a Bio on Alan Harlor…http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Bio/Harler-Alan.htm
According to the Bach Cantatas Website, prior to 1988, Alan Harler “served for many years as Laura H. Carnell Professor and Chairman of Choral Music at Temple University’s Esther Boyer College of Music. He is an active conductor outside of Philadelphia, having performed regularly at the Festival Casals in San Juan, Puerto Rico and the Aspen Choral Institute, and has given master-classes and conducted performances in Taiwan and China under the sponsorship of the Taiwan Philharmonic Association.”

Again, this Bio also makes no reference whatsoever to Alan Harler’s association with the UMASS-Amherst Music Department between 1968 and 1973.