Founding
Scales of Justice was founded in October 1991 by Ellen Chubin ’93 and Gail Javitt ’93 (sopranos). Many of the founding members were in the HLS Drama Society’s production of Guys and Dolls at the time. Then-Dean Bob Clark was the faculty advisor.
The other founding members include sopranos Tara Koslov ’94 and Funmi Arewa ’94; altos Julie Lythcott-Haims ’94 and Robin Springberg ’94; tenor Marc Channick ’94; bass Jamie Bouldin ’94; Joel McKuin, Ed Ducayet ’93.
The First Concert
The first Scales concert was on Thursday, March 5, 1992, at 8:30 p.m. in the Hark (before L.A. Law) together with Harvard Medical School’s Countway Basies. The program of the March 5, 1992 debut concert was the following: Gail Javitt, conductor; Up the Ladder to the Roof (Tara Koslov solo); Stand by Me (Jamie Bouldin and Funmi Arewa solos); Estoppel, an original song by Ellen Chubin and Gail Javitt (Ellen Chubin solo); The Lion Sleeps Tonight (Julie Lythcott-Haims solo); Only You (Yaz) (Marc Channick solo); Kiss Him Goodbye (Jamie Bouldin solo).
Performing Estoppel in every concert has become a Scales of Justice tradition.
Recently
In 2004-2005, Scales performed at the Drama Society Talent Show in the Fall and the Public Interest Auction in the Spring. We also held our own concerts on December 2 and April 28 (Spring Charity Concert for Youth on Fire).
In 2005-2006, Scales performed at the Public Interest Auction and helped to raise $1,600 for summer public interest work. Scales also held a Spring Charity Concert to fundraise a donation to Horizons for Homeless Children.
In 2006-2016, Scales continued its appearances at the Public Interest Auction, raising $2,000 on each occasion, as well as continuing the tradition of donating Spring Concert proceeds to charity.
In 2015 and 2016, Scales performed at the Harvard African Law Association Benefit Dinners.
In 2016, Scales performed at the Freedom Seder (organized by the Harvard Black Law Students Association and Harvard Jewish Law Students Association).
In 2017, Scales performed at the Harvard Law School Bicentennial to an audience that included six Supreme Court Justices, so Scales practically performed for the Supreme Court.
In 2020-2021, Scales rehearsed remotely and held ‘virtual concerts’ due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
