Herbert A. France Papers

Herbert A. France was born in Bayonne, New Jersey, and attended school in Hartford, Connecticut. He was very active in musical organizations while in high school and received muscial training from Julius Hartt and the Hartt School of Music. His studies continued at the Yale School of Music, the Westminster Choir School, the Eastman School of Music and the University of Syracuse. France received his Masters degree in Music in 1941 from the Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester.

Prior to his appointment at Connecticut Agricultural College, Mr. France conducted a number of choral organizations in the Hartford area and formed and directed a male choir at St. Justin's Church. Upon his arrival in Storrs he organized the Mansfield Women's Chorus and became conductor of the Willimantic Men's Glee Club. In 1935, these groups combined to form "Town and Gown," an oratorio society comprised of vocalists from the Willimantic area and students from the recently renamed University of Connecticut.

Mr. France gained wide recognition and popularity as a leader of vocal groups. His dynamic personality and limitless energy did much to make the choral groups with which he was associated outstanding throughout New England. In addition to directing "Town and Gown," Mr. France gained wide recognition and popularity as a leader of vocal groups. His dynamic personality and limitless energy did much to make the choral groups with which he was associated outstanding throughout New England. In addition to directing "Town and Gown," France directed the University of Connecticut Glee Club, and France directed the University of Connecticut Glee Club, the music program at Willimantic High School, and the Hartford Symphony Chorale.

Mr. France retired from the University in 1960 and was the owner of Aab Platers in Somers, CT, an electroplating business, at the time of his death in October 1971.