[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 57 (Wednesday, April 21, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2514-S2515]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO DR. WILLIAM TORTOLANO

  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, one of my fondest memories of my 
undergraduate days at St. Michael's college was getting to know both 
Dr. William Tortolano and his extremely accomplished wife Martha.
  I could tell many stories about the Tortolanos and the times they 
were also part of the Leahy family. I would rather let a story in the 
Burlington Free Press about his retirement after a 50-year career at 
St. Michael's speak for me, and I ask unanimous consent that it be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

            [From the Burlington Free Press, April 20, 2010]

          St. Michael's College Professor Departs With Concert

                           (By Matt Sutkoski)

       St. Michael's College emeritus professor William Tortolano 
     has made big, varied contributions to the school in his 50-
     year career there.
       He's taught humanities and music, directed the chorus, gave 
     and organized countless performances, and even designed the 
     organ in St. Michael's chapel.
       So it stands to reason his going-away gift to the community 
     is just as varied.
       The free concert at 7:30 p.m. today in the chapel will 
     feature his beloved organ, even more beloved family members, 
     the Vermont Gregorian Chant Schola, the St. Michael's College 
     Chorale and a wide range of musical selections.
       Tortolano, 80, is founder and first chairman of the St. 
     Michael's College fine arts department. He also founded the 
     St. Michael's Chorale and was its director for 28 years.
       Music extends deeply into his personal life. He married a 
     musician, his three children are accomplished musicians and 
     his grandchildren are headed in the same direction, he said. 
     ``They were not forced into it, obviously. This was something 
     they wanted to do,'' Tortolano said.
       Tonight's concert will feature two of his children, and a 
     grandson, a senior majoring in music at Boston College and a 
     cellist.
       Tortolano said he had some experience with organ design 
     because he took a course on the subject while at the New 
     England Conservatory of Music, and he has always been 
     interested in the instrument.
       He designed the organ for the Chapel of St. Michael the 
     Archangel with the structure's acoustics in mind. ``It has to 
     fit the acoustics, the reverberations. You don't buy it at 
     Walmart or anything,'' he said.
       He completed the organ's design in 1962; the chapel opened 
     in 1964; and the organ was installed in 1966, he said. At the 
     time, it cost $13,500, which in today's dollars would be more 
     than $97,000, according to the Consumer Price Index inflation 
     calculator. That's not particularly expensive for a custom-
     made organ, he said.
       St. Michael's College's student body was strictly male when 
     Tortolano joined the faculty. He was in charge of the chorus, 
     but as more women became students, he created a new St. 
     Michael's Chorale in 1970, when the college became co-ed and 
     eventually disbanded the all-male group.
       Tortolano said the Chorale is among his best memories of 
     his career. True, he performed for the Pope, and at Notre 
     Dame, and Cambridge University. But he said he takes great 
     joy in remaining in touch with past Chorale members and 
     attending reunions.
       This semester, Tortolano is teaching humanities, but this 
     will be his last year, and the concert is his official 
     retirement.
       He won't just sit back. ``I feel very good, and I keep very 
     busy,'' he said. He'll continue in music; he'll do workshops 
     and recitals. And, Tortolano says, he'll look back fondly at 
     his five decades at St. Michael's.

[[Page S2515]]

       ``It's been a great experience,'' he said.

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