With Friends in North Carolina

The Southern Division ACDA convention in Winston-Salem was a wonderful conference, rich with excellent performances and southern hospitality.  President Tom Shelton and his committee really outdid themselves!

Memorable performances include Eric Nelson's Atlanta Sacred Chorale, Miami's Seraphic Fire, and Jeff Johnson and the University of Kentucky Men's Chorus, whose emotional pacing always moves me.  Cora Bella from Dr. Phillips High School sang my RADIANT SISTER OF THE DAY with great artistry and represented Orlando with beautiful singing and glowing spirit.

It's always great to spend time with good friends, especially when it involves good food and Winston-Salem provided many choices.  Highlights included casual Mediterranean, "new southern", and great little plates at Sixth and Vine where Donna Thomasson, Cheryl DuPont and I discovered a terrific bottle of Infamous Goose Sauvingon Blanc from New Zealand's Mother Goose winery.  Who knew?

For Amber Waves...

The brushed aluminum sculptures on the bridge over the Arkansas River (here pronounced ArKANSAS!) suggest curved, swaying stalks of wheat.  This was the view each morning from my room in the Wichita Hyatt while there for the Kansas Choral Directors Association All-State Middle Level Choir.  It was a whirlwind single day of rehearsal with 160 7th, 8th and 9th graders who sang a strong and confident concert at the end of the afternoon.  Brava to Deb Hill, who was the coordinator of the event and all involved in its success.

My SUN MOON STARS RAIN and SPIRITUAL MUSICK were part of the program that included Aaron Copland, Dan Davison, Patricia Runkle and Rollo Dillworth.  The Treble Honor Choir also performed ALL THY GIFTS OF LOVE as part of their beautifully sung program, conducted by Heather Potter.

It was great to reconnect with Gretchen Harrison, National ACDA R&S chair for Jr. High/Middle School, old friend Diane Lewis of Northwestern days, and Charlie and Jodie Forsyth from the years I was tour director and conductor of the Florida Ambassadors of Music.

Great Weekend in the Northwest

What a great weekend in the Northwest!  The Salem-Keizer Middle Schools All-City Honor Choir was fantastic, something I knew in the first few minutes of the very first rehearsal.  Each singer was polite, eager, prepared, motivated, bright and fun!  They have wonderful, dedicated teachers and supportive administrations.  Sincere thanks to David Loney, who coordinated and Kerry Burtis, who hosted the event, and Adam Robinson, an able and collaborative accompanist.  While there, I enjoyed breakfast at Bob's Red Mill, a really good capuccino at Portland's Stumptown coffee, lunch at a few of the many funky food trucks, a walk in the serene and wonderful Japanese garden in a light drizzle, and a quick browse at Powell's Bookstore, one of the largest and most interesting and varied I've seen.  Really needed an afternoon there with a cuppa Stumptown coffee...

Music in the Low Country

Just home from the South Carolina Music Educators Association state conference in Charleston where I presented two sessions for members of the choral division.  Special thanks to President June Kirkland for the invitation and for her leadership, and to Pam Brunson for her expert collaboration at the piano.  Enjoyed a wonderful French dinner at 39 Rue de Jean with Sally Albrecht and Jay Althouse and excellent crabcakes at Amen Street.  Oh, and a praline.  Didn't, however, attend the Jimmy Buffet concert next door to the hotel Thursday night...

Great All-County Chorus!

I spent the weekend with the Hillsborough All-County High School Mixed Chorus in Tampa, Florida and was impressed by their preparation, personal musicianship skills, eagerness, good humor and hard work.  It was especially gratifying to hear I AM IN NEED OF MUSIC and IF I CAN HELP SOMEBODY sung so well.  Now if I can only stop Robert Ray's HE NEVER FAILED ME YET from swirling around in my head...