Richard E. du Bois UMASS Voice and Music Department Associate Head

Dr. Richard E. du Bois (1923-2009) earned a bachelor’s degree in music from Heidelberg College, a master’s degree in voice from the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago, and a Ph.D.  in composition from the University of Iowa. Dr. du Bois joined the UMASS-Amherst faculty in 1965. The connection to the University of Iowa which leads the Author of this Essay to believe that Dr. Philip Bezanson, Head of the UMASS Music Department recruited Dr. du Bois to join the UMASS Music Department Faculty.

The Author of this essay, 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, 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 Music Faculty members or student music majors that were associated with ‘vocal’ related curriculum.

According to Obituary:
“Known affectionately to generations of students as “Dr. d,” du Bois joined the Music Department in 1965 and taught music theory,  composition and choral conducting. He directed a number of chorale ensembles, most notably the University Chorale, which he conducted for 33 years and led on 15 international concert tours. He also toured nationally, completed more than 100 choral compositions, was active as a choral clinician for schools, conferences  and choral festivals, and was a past president of the Massachusetts Music Educators Association.”

From the research that the Author of this essay performed, Dr. Richard E. du Bois served between 1967 and 1972 as both a voice instructor, director of the University Chorale, as well as the Music Department Associate Head.

However, the Author of this essay has far less of any memory about Dr. Richard E. du Bois than even Professor Doric Alviani.

Although the Author of this essay can clearly remember the name of Richard E. du Bois dating back to 1967 at UMASS-Amherst, the Author of this essay has not one single memory of  seeing Dr. du Bois anywhere on Campus during the entire 1967 and 1972 time frame.

Dr. du Bois was a phantom and the only one of 23 UMASS-Amherst Music Faculty members that served between 1967 and 1972 that the Author cannot remember at all.

Perhaps Dr. Richard E. du Bois was on sabbatical during the entirety of the 1967-1972 time frame.