Not quite certain what the evening held in store, throngs of curious spectators splashed across campus in the freezing rain for the first-ever “Welcome Back” concert, Jan. 13. Advanced publicity promised an interdepartmental event unlike any other in university history, and The Wittenberg Faculty Rock Ensemble & Entourage (Witt FREE) did not disappoint.

With silhouettes of John, Paul, George and Ringo, designed, painted and finished in an hour by Associate Professor of Theatre and Dance Jimmy Humphries and the theatre design shop workers, as the stage backdrop, Witt Free jammed the night away.
Organized last summer by Thomas Taylor, professor of history, vocalist, guitarist and keyboard master, Witt FREE features Professor of Chemistry and guitarist Dave Finster, Assistant Professor of English and guitarist Rick Incorvati, Associate Professor of Languages and guitarist Tim Bennett ’78, and journalist and percussionist Tom Stafford ’76. Associate Professor of English Lori Askeland, Biology Lab Coordinator Ruth Lewis and Assistant Professor of Education Steve Broidy, all vocalists, put the words to music.

From the opening bars of “With a Little Help from My Friends,” the group, whose members hold a plethora of academic degrees (none in music), proved that talent was more than worthy of attention. “When Tom Stafford joined us, it really started to gel,” Finster said. “We knew it was going to sound great.”

Stafford said that he took private drum lessons as a youth from a member of the Detroit Symphony, participated in marching band and orchestra and was a drum major in high school. He currently plays and sings with a local band performing arrangements of old R&B and rock numbers.

Incorvati, who said he quit taking guitar lessons in junior high school after teaching himself a few Led Zeppelin songs, wowed the audience with several guitar rifts. “The main challenge for me was learning 20 Beatles’ songs,” he said.

A self-proclaimed “Beatlemaniac” who began playing guitar three years ago, Bennett said he has appreciated his students’ support. “They had fun and have encouraged me. Professors desperately need student encouragement.”

Broidy has a background in choir and community theatre but never thought he would perform with a rock band. “My biggest challenges have been learning harmonies and keeping up with Lori and Ruth,” he explained.

Askeland described herself as “an incorrigible diva-wannabe.” Singing torch songs in nursing homes and soprano with the Yellow Springs Community chorus were her major gigs before joining Witt Free.

“It was absolutely fun to have so many people from across the community,” Lewis said about those students, faculty, staff and Springfield residents who turned out for the show.

Witt FREE will perform again during Benjamin Prince Day, April 16, and during the annual WittFest later this spring. n
— Phyllis Eberts ’00