New stuff on the site!

After a long recovery that involved much sleep, much coffee, and even a bit of rest and quiet, I am once again alive after Choir School 2006. In fact, thhe website has just been updated, with all kinds of stuff from this year's edition of Choir School. Check it out: www.choirschoolsite.com. Maybe you'll see a pict of yourself (if you went, that is).

I'm anxious to hear what kind of time everyone else had. Respond to this post, to let me and everyone else know!

41 HOURS TO GO!!!!!!

I can't believe how clsoe it is to the start of Choir School on Sunday! There is so much to, and so little time; I made a list, but forgot to include a little thing called "packing." I guess I'd better change ths list, but that takes time, and I don't have time, and there is so much to do, and I don't want to forget anything, so I'd better make a list, and a note not to forget the list, and.... see you on Sunday!!! Pray for me and my list!

20 Days and Counting...

This past weekend, the Board held its final meeting before Choir School begins. Want to know what music you're singing? Wait 20 days. T-Shirt colour? Wait 20 days. What John will say when he arrives? 20 days. IT'S SO CLOSE! Some of the Board are smiling for the camera (I actually warned them I was taking the picture, for once). Remember to bring your stuff for the theme days, and also your finest outfits for the formal dinner. Check back here before you leave for Choir School; there may be some last minute thing to know!!

Get it in the mail!

I've been looking over the applications forms that have een received so far, and am thrilled to see all of the people who are coming, as well as looking forward to those whoa re coming for the first time (including my daughter, Laura! She's already told me I'm not allow to come into her room...). However, there are some people whoa re a bit slower, it seems, at finding their local mailbox. COUNSELLING STAFF... where are your forms?!?!? Just a reminder to you that staff as well have to submit a form, just so that we have your contact and medical information on file. And for all those who have yet to send in your app., do it now! The sooner you get it in, the sooner you can be assured of getting the roommate you may have requested. To the mailbox!

Uh, a Little Help?

For the past few years, every morning at 11:00am at Choir School, some choristers have taken part in a program called, for lack of a better term, "Christian Faith in Our Culture." Often, this consisted of looking at some kind of video, or listening to music that was currently on the popular charts, and discussing how these things affect us as Christian people. These times have generated some really great conversation, and I have really learned a lot myself from you during these times.

What I want to know is whether you chorsiters who took part in these sessions want more of this. Does this continue to help you in some way? Or, is there something else altogether that I'm missing that we could be doing here? This program, this hour each day during Choir School, is planned mostly in reaction to what I hear from you. So, now I'm asking, seriously. What would help you, or what would you be interested in doing during this time? Your answer will help me to decide what takes place during this time slot. Perhaps it will be mroe of the same, or something really new. Let me know what you feel!

The Gathering...

This wonderful church, St. Paul's in Sackville, NB was the site of the latest meeting of the Choir School, as they met to continue plans for this coming summer. John Hudson, our music director, presented a report on music to be sung this year (including Standford's Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis in G). The whole outline of music looked great (I hear there is a hidden message within these great works of music that he put together; I call it "The Hudson Code"). Also, the Head Counsellors, Heather Harrison and Dani Gautreau, brought us all up-to-date on what they've been doing. The counselling staff have been set (see the STAFF page on the website), and other details are being finalized. We're only 7 weeks away!!!!

New additions...

First off, let me say that I am TERRIBLE at posting regularly. However, now that so much is coming up so fast, I hope to be posting more regularly. The great news that I get to share with you is that we have most of our counselling staff in place now for Choir School 2006! All are very keen, and have great leadership skills already. More than that, they are all people who are looked up to by others at Choir School, and are dedicated to using their gifts of singing. Go to the website, which has just been updated (www.choirschoolsite.com) to see the list, as it currently stands. Keep checking the site, there will be more updates coming along!

There's a desk in there?

One person asked me if I felt I was on top of things as far as my work went. The picture to the left is my response. Having just been through many meetings for many commttiees and groups, plus it being Holy Week in the church, and this is what my desk looks like (truth be told, this is what it looked like a long time before Holy Week!). A recent Choir School meeting also meant a lot of preparation, which means looking through a whole lot of stuff... all this helps to hide my desk very well.

The Choir School Board had a great meeting on April 1st, and another is planned for mid-February. One important thing that got sorted out is who is applying to work as counsellors and CITs. A wonderful sign of health for the School is that lots of people want these positions; the only problem is that there are not enough positions for everyone who wants one! We are working on the hiring process now, and will be able to announce who is working at Choir School in the week after Easter. It is a difficult thing to look at a list of names, and try to decide frmon among them, when they are all qualified! Stay tuned; the saga continues....