Opportunities to hear the Youth Choir for the Nations and Ian this summer:

If you would to be a part of an upcoming Youth Choir service or concert, we 're going to be performing/ singing in a few churches or events during the summer months. Please just stayed plugged into this blog for upcoming events. The Youth Choir for the Nations has concluded their summer engagments having completed 4 concerts in their inaugural year.

Elaine and I have been sharing with you dear friends about Eagle World Wide Ministries Retreat & Revival Centre, Copetown, ON (near Brantford), an amazing summer camp and opportunity to hear acceptional speakers and events, during the eight weeks that Retreat and Revival Centre is open during the summer to early Fall months. This year is no exception to their blessed series of meetings.

Just click on http://www.eagleworldwide.com/ for the schedule in July and August, outling these amazing speakers and events. The website will give you directions on how to get to the camp.

See you there God willing... WIW

Dear Class of 1981:

Well for all of my hard work these past six months, only 6 people plus spouces will be able to attend the BUTI 40th Celebrations.

Just this week, my singing/conducting gig got cancelled in PA...so I won't be able to attend either. Fiancially just starting my own business and my own children's choir this year, has not been as prosperous as I thought that it be; or considering my many contacts, I didn't think that it would be that difficult for me to be self-employed. However, I have had some unique experiences these last six months starting up my business and without all of music making, I would not be a "happy camper" that I am now.

Being your own boss has many advantages and I can work with the types of clients that I want to work with. In order that my own vocal technique is tight and that I am still growing musically; singing these last three years in the Orpheus Choir of Toronto( learning/performing some amazing music this past season) has kept me in the loop for my own conducting opportunities with my choirs.

Zenobia and I are starting to talk about next year's large Class Reunion for alumni of 1981. Once this summer is over and I can talk with Phyllis Hoffman, Executive Director of BUTI, we would like to open up discussions to commission a new a choral work for either piano or organ for chorus and two solos included for Mezzo and Tenor from the Class of 1981. As we would like to honour the memory of our dearly departed members classmates Kate and David. Leonard Atherton is really excited about this proposal and we'll keep you all posted so that you can join in the support of this work if you would like to be involved.

At the top of this page, I found a Christmas Card and picture from 1985, from our dear departed friend David Cole... David sent me this photo of himself and his "operatic idol" Leontyne Price. He said: "As I wish you all the happiness of this season and joy for the coming year, please allow me to share with you a very special moment in my life. On Apirl 14, 1985 I had the opportunity to meet my operatic idol Leontyne Price after her fine concert; I was given the honour of presenting her with the bouquet of flowers."

We will miss both David and Kate's effervescent personality and incredible talent as we plan for our next reunion in 2007. However, we will always have this new commissioned choral work to remember them as part of the Class of 1981.

My Youth Choir has one more engagements for this summer in and around Ontario. I am feeling very proud and humbled by this entire year's journey. My kids have memorized at least eight pieces of worship songs to hymns and we have a lot of selection to choose from. It has been truly fufilling seeing these young voices, getting excited about good choral singing.

WIW