RCS Conductor Quits, Protests Tenure Case

The conductor of the Radcliffe Choral Society (RCS) will resign after the academic year 1977-78 because of the University's decision to deny tenure to F. John Adams '66, lecturer on Music and choral director.

Priscilla Chapman '67 said Wednesday her decision to leave RCS is "directly related" to the Adams decision. She will remain with the choral group for one more year so that the chorus will be assured of having a conductor next year.

She said last May that she would find it "very difficult" to remain here if Adams idd not receive tenure. Members of all three undergraduate choral groups also expressed support for Adams' tenure bid.

Chapman said she is "staying the year because John is staying "for one more year, adding that she had not thought of leaving Harvard before the Adams controversy arose this spring.

Adams will continue as conductor of the Harvard Glee Club and the Collegium Musicum next year but will no longer teach Music 1, "A Survey of Western Music."

During a series of meetings this spring between Music Department officials, Dean Rosovsky and members of the choral groups, students suggested that Adams's two posts be assigned to two different Faculty members but department officials apparently refused then to split the position.

Rosovsky could not be reached for comment yesterday, but Adams said Rosovsky will temporarily divide the posts to ease the transition period for the choral groups and to "make things easier" for Adams by removing his departmental teaching responsibilities.

"Ironically, what has effectively happened is that the student recommendation was followed after all," Adams said. The post of choral director will only be distinct from the position of lecturer on Music for one year, however.

While the department and the administration evaluated Adams this spring, several participants in the meetings, who declined to be identified, charged that members of the department "have a lot of hatred for Adams." They alleged that Adams' colleagues dislike him because he places more emphasis on his duties as choral cirector than on his academic work.

Louise Vosgerchian, chairman of the Music Department, was unavailable for comment yesterday. Adams said he does not know who will take over his teaching responsibilities, but he added that he is responsible for finding Chapman's successor.

At least two-thirds of the members of the choral group must ratify Adams' choice of a new conductor