Cornerstone Arts Center Flex Room was crowded. Packard Hall risers couldn’t accommodate everyone. Dust from long unused pillows (stuffed in Shove Chapel choir loft aisles for more seating) rose when singers sat down, setting off fire alarms at Baccalaureate.

Billed as “Possibly the Last Tour Choir Reunion,” and held May 15-17, it was likely the favorite and one of the best attended of the popular tour choir reunions. By the end of the weekend, hopes were high for assembling “just one more time.”

More than 90 CC alumni and guests gathered from across the country, working together for three days to make music with Director Don Jenkins. Seventy-plus rehearsed twice daily, performing a late Sunday afternoon concert, as well as singing at Baccalaureate.

From 1961-72, the choir traveled by bus and performed across the U.S. for two weeks during spring breaks. At the reunion, members became reacquainted with former choral pals and met choir members from earlier or later years.

This year’s music included Haydn’s “Come Lovely Spring,” Vivaldi’s “Gloria,” oratorio excerpts from Handel, songs of American presidential campaigns (with amusing commentary), five Colorado College songs, and a group favorite, “Mary Wore Three Links of Chains.”

When not vocalizing, the musicians and their guests enjoyed meals at Stewart House, Slocum Hall, and local restaurants, retelling old stories, catching up, and wondering where the years went.

The crew was impressed with the impact of what the group calls “The Don Fund.” Described by Deborah Jenkins Teske, the $200,000-plus endowment has funded a number of musical projects encouraging choral development along with the camaraderie and accomplishment that tour choir members experienced at CC.

The farewell dinner was one of thanksgiving — literally —with roast turkey and traditional sides, and figuratively with Jack Berryhill ’68 presiding as president of the imaginary service club, Peccary International, a running gag since 1965. There also was gratitude for Don Jenkins’ musical talent and skill, as well as his endurance putting up with years of past-to-present tricks. Tour choir members presented Don and his wife Gwen with an all-expense paid trip to Aspen for this year’s music festival.

John Chalik ’67 orchestrated the event with assistance from Lana Coffman Young ’68, Diane Brown Benninghoff ’68, Crete Crawford Wood ’69, Berryhill Romney Philpott ’66, and Gary Ceriani ’68, as well as CC staff members Deborah Jenkins Teske, Dan Brink, Stormy Burns, Kristie Damgaard, and Jayne Blewitt.