I was born and raised on the South Side, and I went to St. Felicitas School, where a wonderful nun, Sister Thelma, was our choir director. She would pass out sheets of music, and we would learn and sing them. My mother used to take me down to the old Lyon & Healy music store, on Wabash and Jackson, so I could buy blank music paper. I would write my own little choral pieces and put them in a drawer. My mother showed them to Sister Thelma, who decided I should have a more formal music education.
As a youngster, I went to see operas at the Civic Opera House. It has always seemed to me like a rather magical place. I had never seen that many musicians in one place making music, and it made a lasting impression on me. I had thought the only place one could see grand opera was in Europe, but here, in my front yard, was the grandest opera ever. I was overwhelmed by the power of the music and the majesty of the opera house.
In those days, there was a wonderful place called Baldwin Hall, on Wabash Avenue, where young musicians were invited to participate in competition with other children their own age. When I was about 9 years old, my mother took me there. I played a little piece of Bach on the piano and was lucky enough to win a medal.
Around that time, there also was a radio show called ”The Morris B. Sachs Amateur Hour.” I had a rather nice singing voice, so in 1947, when I was 10 years old, I went down to the opera house and sang on the show. It was Easter Sunday, and I won first prize-$50 and a Gruen watch.
Sachs helped a lot of young people get their start. In those days, those radio shows had full orchestras. So it was a great thrill to stand in front of the ABC microphone on the stage of the opera house and sing.
I went to Quigley High School, on Rush Street north of Chicago Avenue, but after four years, I decided I didn`t want to be a priest. So I went to the School of Music at De Paul University. At the same time, I was invited to become the organist at Holy Name Cathedral, a position I kept for seven years. Dr. Arthur Becker, the founder and then the dean of De Paul`s School of Music and director of the university chorus, gave me a lot of opportunities to learn the craft of choral conducting. I began writing music, but mainly, I was fascinated by voices-people singing.
I also studied with Leo Sowerby, who, among other things, was professor of composition at the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago, where I went for courses with him. It was at that time that I decided that I would like to found a choral organization of my own. That`s how the William Ferris Chorale was formed in the 1971-72 season.
What I like about Chicago audiences is that they are inquisitive and don`t seem to prejudge things; they`re not afraid to take a chance. But in all honesty, the classical-music audience in any city is smaller than a pop or show-tune audience. I think the Chicago audiences are better than those in other cities. We brought Jean Stapleton here to do a benefit last October, and she said the audiences here are trained listeners.
I was picked by Jane Byrne some years ago to be the musical chairperson of a song contest for the Chicago area. It was interesting to see how many people sent in songs about the look of Chicago-especially the lakefront. There`s something very energetic and strong about the lakefront. Sadly, the contest didn`t come to a fruitful conclusion, but it was a fascinating experience. There`s something very rewarding about the spirit that pervades the entire city.
