John D’Armand
UMASS Voice 1968-1980

John D’Armand (1935 – ) joined the UMASS-Amherst Music Faculty in 1968 and taught voice through 1980.

The Author of this essay, was an instrumental performance major as well as an

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, or supporting a vocal musical faculty member in a faculty recital as member of the UMASS Orchestra, the Author of this essay had very little contact with with Music Faculty members or student music majors that were associated with ‘vocal’ related curriculum.

However, Professor John D’Armand is the only UMASS vocal music faculty member that the Author of this Essay remembers quite well.

Professor D’Armand had a robust ‘Bass’ speaking voice that had a very pleasant etheral quality to it. And, Professor D’Armand was over six feet tall with a muscular physicque coupled with a barrel chest, reddish auburn hair, well trimmed beard and mustache.
On multiple occasions, this Author recalls hearing Professor D’Armand sing at a number of UMASS Music Department Faculty Recitals where he did an outstanding job.

Professor D’Armand’s tall, physically imposing physique which was amplified by perfect posture at all times was reminiscent of Scottish Soldiers that served with the 1860’s famous 92nd Gordon Highland Regiment in Great Britain.

Professor D’Armand had an easy smile and a very engaging out going personality compared to the other members of the other vocalist members of the Music Department. And, Professor D’Armand always seemed to enjoy the UMASS campus atmosphere and always greeted a music student that he recognized by name.

Professor D’Armand was also the only vocalist member of the Music Department at UMASS who routinely attended student instrumental performances including student recitals.
In fact, the Author of this essay recalls that Professor D’Armand attended most if not all of this Author’s student recitals. Also, Professor D’Armand was particularly enthusiastic about
attending brass ensemble performances. Professor D’Armand remained in contact with this Author into the early spring of 1975. In 1974 into the early Spring of 1975, this Author performed with the Berkshire Brass Quintet. Professor D’Armand was associated with an Amherst area church that hired the Berkshire Brass Quintet to perform.

In the view of this Author, Professor John D’Armand was a great asset to the UMASS-Amherst Music Department.

After completing research on this Essay, the Author learned that since 1980, Professor John D’Armand has been a member of the University of Alaska Music Department where he taught both music appreciation and voice.