Les Hale

Its a sad day to day. Today we learned of the passing of Les Hale

I got to meet Les on several occasions throughout my years in the UNI Varsity Men’s Glee Club and then later while serving on the board of directors for an endowment fund in his name. He always had a story to tell about the group, his students and gettings started so many decades ago. Les talked about the Glee Club and not only its impact on the guys in the group and the men that they became. He talked about how that group may have saved lives. I know it sounds crazy. But Les told of a time when there was a war in Vietnam and a draft back home. How an A in this 1 credit class called the UNI Varsity Men’s Glee Club could be the difference of staying at UNI, or going back home with a high chance of getting drafted.

I only sang under Les’ direction a few times during reunion concerts. He was well before my time. But I sang in a group that he started and it made the world of difference for me. Its a group that started a lot of life long friendships. Its a group that got me to get out of the middle of the country to travel the world and see the true power of music. Its a group that I can never repay for the memories, the life lessons, friendships and experiences.

Thanks Les for all that you did. For spreading the power and love of music to generations of men and women.

Brothers, Sing On!