With Dr. Lee Teply’s memorial service date finally set, I had to find myself a pair of black stockings. In Japan where I come from, women wear absolutely all black to any death related service. Even the pearls are black. It seems there is no such expectation here, but I felt the need to wear black stockings.
My freshman year of college, I had the honor of singing with the Madrigal Singers directed by Dr. Teply. For every concert he insisted the women wear either long black slacks or a black skirt with black stockings. No skin was to be showing. It was only fair I suppose. For all of our concerts the men wore long black slacks or colorful stockings with their Renaissance costumes. Exasperated by this stipulation, I asked him one concert why we had to wear them.
“It’s professional!” He seemed more exasperated than I was that I had even dared to question the dress code.
He certainly was professional in a traditional sense.
As I have performed more, I have come to realize that the black stockings thing really is a preference. The feminist in me wants to throw them out the window and claim my right to wear what I like. Sometimes I do. If I want to wear red shoes with beige panty-hoes and a black dress, I will thank you very much.
Today was different though. Today I wore black stockings. Today was about honoring a man who taught me not only how to sing early choral music, but also about honoring a man who modeled how to care for my future students’ well being. He cared so very much for us. I suppose my way of honoring him today was by wearing black stockings.
May you rest in peace, Dr. Lee Teply.
sachikorose 