By Lee Shepherd
“Kind and humble, yet meticulous and musically demanding — how privileged are those of us who were chosen to sing with Maestro Borton.”
These and similar heartfelt sentiments were expressed eloquently by the countless people whose lives Dr. Bruce E. Borton touched as a choral director, teacher, mentor and friend.
Borton, 77, passed away Sunday (Aug. 11) at his home after a long illness. He left an indelible legacy.
In his academic career, Borton was Director of Choral Activities at Binghamton University from 1988 to 2017, where he conducted the University Chorus, Harpur Chorale and Women’s Chorus. In addition, he directed the Master of Music in Choral Conducting program and taught undergraduate conducting, choral arranging and voice. He mentored generations of student choral conductors, who went on to successful careers. He was Music Department chair from 1998 to 2004 and also served for 15 years as Director of Graduate Studies in Music.
In 2011, he was named conductor of the Madrigal Choir of Binghamton. The choir, with Borton at the helm, gave concerts that blended innovative and traditional programming, sometimes featuring his own compositions and arranged works. His skill at creating theme concerts filled halls with loyal audience members.
And throughout it all, he found time to contribute to the rich musical and cultural life of the community. He sang with the Trinity Memorial Church Choir, prepared choruses for the Binghamton Philharmonic and Binghamton Community Orchestra, and served for several years on the Tri-Cities Opera Board. His extensive community work was recognized in 2008 when he received a Broome County Arts Council “Heart of the Arts” award.
And then there was his lifelong love of fine woodworking. When not making, performing and teaching music, Borton could be found in his basement producing artistic and functional pieces for family and friends. Many people have souvenirs of Bruce in their home — a beautifully crafted piece of furniture or, in this writer’s case, a Little Neighborhood Library.
Borton also left behind less tangible mementos of a well-lived life.
Theresa Lee-Whiting, a former graduate conducting student, who skillfully co-conducted Madrigal Choir concerts during Bruce’s final illness, described him this way: “Dr. Bruce Borton has been an immeasurable musical gift to this community for many years. Having directed major works with the popular ‘town and gown’ University Chorus and, most recently, with the Madrigal Choir of Binghamton, singers and audiences alike have experienced the musical magic that resulted from Bruce’s lifetime of living and loving choral music. Kind and humble, yet meticulous and musically demanding — how privileged are those of us who were chosen to sing with Maestro Borton!”
Former Madrigalian Connie Lamando said, “I will always remember Bruce’s way of bringing people, music and creativity together. I first met Bruce 20 years ago, when I moved to Binghamton and wanted to join a good choir. I joined the BU Chorus and the Madrigal Choir, both under Bruce’s direction. Many longtime friendships and deeply memorable musical experiences followed. Bruce shared with his singers and the community a broad range of choral music that spanned the ages and spoke to us in the present. He taught us about vocal production, style, articulation, projection, dedication and always focused on the interplay of the individuals as a group. He really cared about people. He will be sorely missed, but his legacy will live on.”
“A wonderful teacher, leader and person,” said former University Chorus member Cathie Makowka. Another BU Chorus veteran Martin Bidney, added, “For 15 years, Bruce taught me, and a host of other enthusiastic participants with whom I loved performing, the resplendent choral masterworks of the great composers. Years of skilled instruction in singing technique were like a gift of heaven to an apprentice chorister who had never before sung regularly in a choir. Extraordinary good fortune — and many years of it, rich in memories. And, on top of that, one of the most likeable people I’ve ever met, with a gift for
jokes and stories. He was a blessed human being.”
University Chorister Tom Lamphere described Borton as “a beloved leader, a man who taught us so much about singing, about the background of the pieces that we sang, singing as a unified group, the importance of dynamics, pronouncing our vowels as one, emphasizing our consonants and doing it all to give our best effort to the audience. …While Bruce has left us physically, his spirit will remain with us always. The indelible mark he has left on all of us will be in each note we sing, each entrance we perform and cutoff we execute….all because Bruce is in our soul, our heart.”
Singing under Bruce’s direction was always a pleasure and an uplifting musical experience,” said Jan Nieburg. “A great musician,” added Madrigal Choir member Denise Helms.
Madrigalian Dave Schriber described Borton this way: “As a protégé of the late Robert Shaw, Bruce was a master choral conductor, to my mind the finest in our area. A wide range of repertoire, a full tool bag of tips and tricks, and a gentleman with a sense of humor … After one semester singing under Bruce’s direction, I realized I had stumbled across the finest choral teacher in the area.
“With Bruce, we have met many challenges, enjoyed many moments of thunderous affirmation, tra-la-la-ing humor and tender tones. Bruce’s passing is a huge loss for all of us who sang with him, but we all have been blessed with creating beauty that transcends any single voice.”
Founding director of the Madrigal Choir Anne Boyer Cotten praised Borton for “his dedication and love for ensemble” that made the transition from her decades of leadership go smoothly. “We were all so fortunate to have Madrigal Choir prosper with Bruce as the second fulltime director. I am grateful for all he did to keep Madrigal Choir completely viable and growing as a strong auditioned community.”
Paul Schleuse, chairman of the Binghamton University Music Department, praised Borton as “a dedicated colleague, affable friend and talented musician whose commitment to choral music helped to shape our department for many years.”
And retired BU music professor Timothy B. Perry wrote: “Bruce Borton and I arrived at Binghamton University in the late 1980s and immediately established a close working relationship, as we sought to create a vibrant orchestral and choral program with the 200 or so students who inhabited our performance courses. Bruce directed the University Chorus in a number of memorable joint performances with the University Orchestra, such as Haydn’s Creation and Orff’s Carmina Burana. It was always a great pleasure to collaborate with him on these occasions. He was a fearless conductor and was always prepared for whatever challenge a score threw into his path. For the first several years at Binghamton, Bruce was the producer of the Christmas Madrigal Dinners in the University Union, which combined vocal chamber music with a dose of chaotic humor.
“Bruce and I were also partners in preparing our conducting students for their future careers, on the podium, and many of them forged an enduring relationship with him. Bruce was an outstanding conducting mentor; his students — and I — learned from Bruce how to develop student conductors and wonderful colleagues, and many are now in the profession.
“Bruce was known to have a terrific sense of humor. It especially became evident in a performance of the P.D.Q. Bach parody, Oedipus Tex, the opening aria of which Bruce sang with great verve to the delight of his audience.
“Having a steadfast commitment to his Music Department colleagues, Bruce accepted the department chairmanship and, later, the directorship of the Music graduate program. I had been Chair earlier, so I fully appreciated the energy and care he gave to these positions. Moreover, his devoted wife and fellow musician, Nan, supported his heavy workload and was ever his helpmate. …
“After his retirement, Bruce directed the Madrigal Choir of Binghamton, conducting one last time this past spring at St. Thomas Aquinas Church. It was a moving performance.
“I am saddened that we have lost our dear friend and colleague, but will always remember him with great fondness for everything he brought to the podium and our community.”
Perhaps BU Chorus member Mark Epstein described Bruce’s legacy best: “He’s always there in us when we raise our voices in song, no matter where or
with whom we sing.”
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Borton attended Illinois Wesleyan University, Southern Illinois University and University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Nanette; brother Thomas Borton and wife Elissa Ray, and in-laws James and Patrice Witt, along with several nieces and nephews. Bruce was predeceased by his parents, Lois and Erol Borton, and sister Joan Sweeney.
Calling hours will be 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 23, at J.A. McCormack Sons Funeral Home, 141 Main St., Binghamton, and 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24, at Trinity Memorial Church, 44 Main St., Binghamton. A reception will follow the 2 p.m. service.
Expressions of sympathy in Bruce Borton’s memory may be made to Memorial Sloane Kettering at 1275 York Ave., NY, NY 10065, or Illinois Wesleyan
University, 1312 Park St., Bloomington, IL 61701.
