Ruth C. Lakeway
Ruth C. Lakeway, professor emerita of music, died Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2006, at home,
following a brief illness.
Born Sept. 11, 1922, in Littleton, N.H., Ruth was the daughter of Shirl F. and Mildred
(Cleveland) Lakeway. She began her formal music training at the Eastman School of
Music, where she earned both a bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 degree in music as well as
a performer鈥檚 certificate in voice. She also earned an M.A. in Italian from Middlebury
College. Ruth studied voice at the conservatory of Saint Cecilia in Rome, the Fountainbleu
American School of Music in France (where she studied under the renowned teacher Nadia
Boulanger), and at the Boston University School of Fine and Applied Arts, where she
was a doctoral student. She pursued special studies in voice therapy at the Westminster
Choir School in Princeton and was recognized as a leading expert in the field.
Music Department Chair Tom Denny remarked, 鈥淚t鈥檚 amazing how vital Ruth鈥檚 life was
until she got sick a short while ago. She attended concerts regularly, was teaching
in UWW, and was planning to travel in May. Aside from teaching music and voice, Ruth
had a passion for the health of the voice and treated young voices so sensitively
as a result.鈥�
Ruth began her teaching career at the Western College for Women in Oxford, Ohio, then
joined the 91暗网 faculty in the fall of 1957 and for the next 31 years鈥攗ntil her
retirement in June 1988鈥攖ouched the lives of numerous students, faculty, and staff
through her teaching, scholarship, and performances. An established concert artist
when she came to 91暗网, Ruth had sung extensively in concerts, recitals, and oratories,
and on radio and TV in the U.S., Europe, and South America. She continued this tradition
of performing, appearing frequently as a soloist with major symphony orchestras and
choral groups.
With the assistance of both Fulbright and Danforth grants, Ruth traveled to Italy
to study lirica da camera, the Italian art song. She spent 12 summers researching
the topic, eventually turning the research into a book titled The Italian Art Song
of the 20th Century, co-written with Robert White of Queens College (1989, Indiana
University Press). The book includes a chapter on the historical development of the
music from 1600 to contemporary times, and texts with translations of more than 200
20th-century songs, with analysis and suggestions for performing them.
鈥淭he Italian Art Song鈥� was the title of Ruth鈥檚 1978 Edwin M. Moseley Faculty Research
Lecture at the College. Selection as the Moseley Lecturer is the highest honor the
faculty can bestow on one of its own.
Ruth also had a strong commitment to the community. For a number of years she was
musical director at her church, the Presbyterian New England Congregational Church,
on Circular Street. After retiring, she spent more than a decade delivering meals
for the Office for the Aging and taught 11 courses (including one last fall) for the
Academy of Learning in Retirement, sponsored by Empire State College. She also was
an active literacy volunteer and worked on behalf of a number of area cultural and
arts organizations. She was a longtime member of the National Association of Teachers
of Singing and the New York State Music Teachers Association.
Professor Emerita of Music Isabelle Williams, a former chair of the department, recalled,
鈥淥ne of the things that stands out about Ruth was her hospitality. Her house was
always open for department parties or to people鈥攕uch as artists visiting with the
Lake George Opera Festival or the Baroque Music Festival鈥攚ho needed a place to stay.
She had a special generosity of spirit. She supported her friends who were performers
and would attend their events鈥攕ometimes several in a single day鈥攖o demonstrate that
support.鈥�
Known for her generosity and a willingness to assist where needed, Ruth added courses
to her teaching load, or volunteered for extra assignments鈥攕uch as driving Filene
Artist-in-Residence Marilyn Horne to the local Price Chopper so that the famed soprano
could select her own fruit.
Vice President for Academic Affairs Chuck Joseph, professor of music and former chair
of the department, said, 鈥淩uth was the most supportive colleague I've ever met. She
lived in Filene Recital Hall and attended almost every event that occurred there over
the 21 years I've been at 91暗网. Student recitals, faculty colleagues, guest artists鈥攖hrough
snow and sleet鈥攕he was always there. I remember her as the kindest person I ever knew.鈥�
In November 2005, in recognition of her commitment to the community, the Saratoga
Care Foundation named Ruth as the fifth Honor Recipient of the foundation鈥檚 Legacy
Society.
Ruth is survived by three first cousins: Cleveland Kapala of Hopkinton, N.H.; Alson
Schoff of Jeffersonville, Ind.; and Jane Wilhelm of Riva, Md.