In Memoriam - Phyllis Jenness
Phyllis Jenness at home, 2010 (photo courtesy of the Lexington Herald-Leader)
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By all accounts, Phyllis Jenness was a force to be reckoned with! A native of Northboro, Massachusetts, Ms. Jenness was educated in math and science at Bridgewater State University, then continued her private studies in music while performing in various events in New York. In 1954, she moved to Lexington, KY to take a position at the University of Kentucky to teach music, singing, and conducting. During her time as a faculty member at UK, she began the tradition of yearly productions of either full-scale operas or operettas, and was influential in launching the internationally-recognized opera department. |
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The Lexington Singers, 1962
In 1959, seeing that there was no community chorus in Lexington, she founded The Lexington Singers with about 30 members. Today, the Lexington Singers has over 150 members, and has grown to include music offerings for adult singers, children of all ages, and handbell and Orff ensembles. The organization is one of the longest continuously existing community choruses in the United States, and is regarded as Central Kentucky’s premier choral group.
After retiring from UK in 1993 due to the then-mandatory retirement policy, Phyllis began a program of classes called "Be A Better Singer," which encouraged singers of all ages and ability levels to improve their singing skills. Tuition from these classes went to several charities, and through the years, Phyllis was able to contribute about $150,000 to worthwhile causes, including assistance for an orphanage in Guatemala. Before her passing at age 97, she was still working to raise money for multiple charities by teaching four singing classes each weekend, as well as private students during the week.
After retiring from UK in 1993 due to the then-mandatory retirement policy, Phyllis began a program of classes called "Be A Better Singer," which encouraged singers of all ages and ability levels to improve their singing skills. Tuition from these classes went to several charities, and through the years, Phyllis was able to contribute about $150,000 to worthwhile causes, including assistance for an orphanage in Guatemala. Before her passing at age 97, she was still working to raise money for multiple charities by teaching four singing classes each weekend, as well as private students during the week.
Phyllis Jenness (center) with former Lexington Singers Presidents Elaine Wilson (left) and Cora Hughes (right), 2019
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Though she passed away on March 21st, 2020, The Lexington Singers are proud to continue sharing
the legacy of Ms. Jenness. To honor our illustrious founder, the Singers presented a streaming concert on Friday, November 6th, at 7:30pm. This program will feature interviews, stories, historical photos, and program materials, as well as archival audio of Phyllis’s favorite works that she enjoyed leading and conducting during her time with the Singers. The modern Singers will also be recreating some of these classic moments, including solo performances by two of her former students, and digital performances of Haydn’s “Achieved is the Glorious Work,” Byrd’s “Ave Verum Corpus,” a partsong by Johannes Brahms, and a salute from the Lexington Ringers. You can watch this concert in the YouTube video player below! |
