Roots of the Roots

The 'Christian' in the Young Mens Christian Association was not a 'talking point'

[Newly updated Media 01/18/24 ]

For those of you who’ve read My Integrated Life (MIL) thus far, I am grateful for your attention and your contributions toward my efforts to create a wiser Iowa. Today’s writing expands on a period which I only touched on earlier in episode one.

I wrote about my father’s untimely disappearance from my life around the age of 11 in the early 1960’s. I recounted heading into middle school with a feeling of being a bit lost. Let’s zoom in and take a closer look.

First, imagine Mary Alice Brown, now alone, with three near-adolescent sons to keep in line. Never an easy task but she was not one to shirk her duty. Mom made sure of two things:

1. We were in church on Sunday and

2. We were at the YMCA on Saturday

The “Y” was pivotal because at the time it was a safe place with varied activities and generally a positive place for any young kid to hang out and ‘be a boy.’ Additionally, the Des Moines Y.M.C.A. managed a summer camp experience near Boone, IA.

Y-Camp was, for us city kids, a chance to get outside, live in a real cabin for 10 days, build a campfire (with no matches) go canoeing, participate in archery, .22 riflery (yeah), stone work called lapidary, leather working, hiking and more.

It was transformative for me and my brothers because it really did foster an appreciation for the “out-of-doors” as it was called. The forest, which might have been a scary place became a literal sanctuary as I came to deeply appreciate every tree, every whippoorwill call and the smell of damp pine needles on the trail after it rained.

In the 4 years from 1961-65 It was great for my brothers Kevan and Don and I at Y-Camp during the summer….

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….But what were we supposed to do the for rest of the year?

Well…it was back to the Y and the YMCA Boys Chorus and Bellringers under the direction of Marlow and Francis Cowan. Remember, Dad was a bebopper and Mom was understandably not anxious for me to get involved in that life….especially at 11. So Mary Alice (the music major) decided the next best thing was to be a part of the YMCA Chorus and Bellringers because it was ‘safe’ music. Marlow and Fran Cowan were trustable adult supervisors and, again, it was “safe.”

Francis and Marlow Cowan leading the YMCA Chorus through Saturday rehearsals

We all sang (I was an alto), played four types of handbells and chimes and performed songs both whimsical (I like Mountain Music heard below) and serious (The Battle Hymn of the Republic) for audiences that ranged from Polk county nursing home residents to our state representatives in Washington D.C.

On the way to bring fun and music to somewhere in Iowa 1964

Can you imagine corralling 54 boys (age 11-17) traveling in an old school bus, pulling a trailer full of bells, risers, instruments and costumes/disguises? It was chaos but completely controlled by Marlow and Fran who were, in my mind two of the coolest adults I have ever known.

All Day at the Y

Marlow and Fran Cowan at Saturday rehearsal with the YMCA Boys Chorus. My brother Kevan (top row) and my brother Don (2nd from Right, 3rd Row)

Saturdays starting at 9:00 am there were rehearsals for the singers in soprano, alto, tenor and bass sections. Then a two-hour vocal rehearsal at noon for the Full Chorus and then another 90 minutes of bell practice!! A full day for sure—one designed to keep you off the street and positively engaged.

It worked too.

We were a sought-after group to perform at Old Threshers’ Reunions and county fairs around the state. TV appearances on KRNT with many shows at the old Fort Des Moines, Kirkwood and Savery Hotels during those years.

The song “Bye Bye Blues” was performed with what were called “Cricket Bells*.” With Marlow’s stride piano keeping the whole thing together, we literally cranked the sound out of the metal ratchet and wood contraptions. For the record, the YMCA Boys Chorus and Bellringers traveled with:

1. English Handbells 2. Organ Chimes, 3. Cowbells, 4. Cricket Bells 5. Gazoos

YMCA Boys Chorus Scandinavian Pavilion New York World’sFair 1964

Our performance at the New York World’s Fair in 1964 was a highlight and I will never forget the Scandinavian Pavilion where I tasted my first “Belgian waffle” piled high with strawberries and whipped cream. Notice the over-the-water design above?

I ended up with wet pants after accidentally walking off the end of the stage into the calf-deep water. It was funny to everybody else.

Also remembered are my aching legs after several of us challenged each other to run up and down the steps inside the Washington Monument…twice!!

Former Iowa Representative Neal Smith met with us in his office after we sang for the House of Representatives.

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Not incidentally, Marlow Cowan was one of the most stylistically adept piano players I’ve ever heard. His rhythm was impeccable and because of him, we never lost our place during a performance. Check his swingin’ support on:

“I like Mountain Music, good ol’Mountain Music played by a real hillbilly band…..”

We learned the meaning of the phrase “the show must go on.” Even if we were late or the time when the bus and the trailer ended up in a ditch we still made the gig. Marlow Cowan was amazing for his ability to advocate for youth while at the same time managing a summer camp.

Setting up in Washington D.C. to play for Rep. Neal Smith

The whole Cowan family, Marlow and Fran and their children Greg, Glenn and DeeDee became extensions of our families. While mom didn’t want me to have anything to do with the Boy Scouts, she trusted Marlow and Fran to create an inspiring experience giving young men purpose and focus. I’ll be forever grateful to the adults who came into my life at that time.

The Cowan family at home in Ankeny. From Left: Greg, Glen, baby Scott, Dee Dee and mom Francis Cowan

The staff and leaders were usually college-age men and women who staffed the operation. They were young adults of character and purpose. One of them was Robert Shreck who was a leader during the last few years of my camping and canoe trips.

Bob was wise and really fun but also intently focused on helping us grow into positive young men. Not all the ‘junior leaders’ took to his approach but his influence was pivotal in helping us understand the importance of character.

Short Video from Boone 2017

Thanks to Mom’s faith and wisdom, our so-called father-less years (1961 through 1965) were augmented with positive male role models of character, talent and empathy. Every one of my chorus friends felt included regardless of race or ethnicity. We were acknowledged, listened to and urged to take on responsibility for the success of the group.

A sidenote: As the mid-60s Rockn’Roll scene was heating up, our squeaky-clean YMCA presentation would seem pretty square to my “rock star” friends like 15-year-old George Clinton who already had a band with drummer Jimmy Brown called the Rhythm Masters. They somehow didn’t want to admit that the Chorus played ‘world class gigs’ in Washington, NYC and places where no DM rock band would yet play.

The YMCA Boys Chorus and Bellringers could also rightly be called “recording artists” too. The recordings of our NYC World’s Fair were pretty special..at least to our parents. Somehow though, Clive Davis never offered us a contract. Go figure.

Thanks for staying with me as I offer some insight into how My Integrated Life came to be. I am grateful every day for the experiences I’ve had but none more dear than the time I spent Saturdays at the Y with Marlow and Fran, Greg and Glenn. So many amazing people who brought a little light and harmony to the world.

One of our most requested songs. “Peggy O’Neil” (sweetness alert!!)

From summer camp leader to life saver Dr. Robert Shreck (right)

©Dartanyan Brown Words&Music 2024