Shepherd Society Celebrates 25 Years

The Shepherd School of Music was only two years old when a group of people interested in making sure that it prospered began an organizational committee to form a support society for the fledgling school.

That organizational committee of 1977, which included Shepherd School dean Samuel Jones, Gene Hackerman, and Helen Worden ’38, sowed the seed that quickly flowered into the Shepherd Society.

The Shepherd Society’s purpose would be to bring much-needed attention to the young music school by promoting the school’s concerts, nurturing potential artists, and encouraging music appreciation. Worden was drawn to the group’s mission because of her love for music and her interest in Rice. The society, she said, “added an important facet to the music school.”

On April 25, the society celebrated its 25th anniversary with a performance by the Shepherd School Symphony Orchestra and the Rice Chorale, conducted by Larry Rachleff, director of the symphony and chamber orchestras. The performance featured Carl Maria von Weber’s overture to Der Freischütz and Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony no. 9 in D Minor, op. 125 “Choral.” Featured were soprano Edlyn De Oliveira, mezzo-soprano Aidan Soder, and tenor Antonio Rodriguez—all graduate music students. Baritone was sung by associate professor of voice William Murray.

“I think it’s very exciting that these people had the foresight 25 years ago to create the Shepherd Society as a support arm for the Shepherd School,” said Mary Lynn Marks, president of the Shepherd Society. “It’s grown and become a vital part of the school.”

The society, which now has about 1,200 members, has contributed endowed funds and annual gifts, provided scholarships for students, contributed to the construction of the music school, and helped purchase instruments.

“From its early days the Shepherd Society has been invaluable to the Shepherd School,” said Anne Schnoebelen, then the Joseph and Ida Kirkland Mullen Professor of Musicology and interim dean of the Shepherd School. “Its loyal and generous members have given endowed funds and annual gifts without which we would not be able to attract talented musicians. We salute and congratulate the organizational committee and thank them and all members past and present for their extraordinary generosity.”

—Ellen Chang