New Addition!!

There is a new addition to the Choir School family! I guess Dads get to gloat a bit, so here's my bit: our fourth child, Patrick Robert Hayes, was born this past Sat. (May 19) in Fredericton at 5:00pm. He weighed in at 7 lbs., 1 oz., and was 19.5 inches long. Mom is doing great, and we came home on Monday. Needless to say, there are a lot of thing to get ready for with Choir School, and there will be lots of news coming soon. Stay tuned! (BTW, Patrick will not be singing at this year's Choir School, but does plan to make a appearance!).

Happy Easter!

I sit at the computer here, wondering when the last time was that two church services were cancelled in Holy Week due to SNOW!!!! That's been the case this week for me here in Richmond. But it is still the time coming towards Easter, and so I send Happy Easter wishes to everyone at Choir School (I'd love to send you each one of those cool cards that play a little tune when you open them, but sorry... no time!). April also means that Choir School is getting closer, and it's been great to get some emails from many of you; keep them coming.

I hope you all have a most blessed Easter, a great break from school, work (if possible), and other things. With all teh talk about what Easter means, you've probably heard about new life, resurrection, forgiveness, etc. I see a lot of that at Choir School every year. We've all been made exactly the way God wants us, and I see many truly godly people at Choir School each year, and that one week of the year gives me more hope, excitment, and proof of God than almost anything else in the year. Thank you for being... you! Happy Easter!

Online Registration!

The title says it all. You can register online for Choir School 2007! Just go to the website (www.choirschoolsite.com) or click on this site: http://anglican.nb.ca/register/07_choir_school.html. Remember! The online registration is not complete until the $25 non-refundable deposit is receive in the mail by the Registrar.

This keeps getting easier and easier!

Choir School comes to Moncton!

Choir School hit St. George's Moncton (ouch!) for the next service of their Evensong services. What a turnout! The choir was the largest yet, with 52 people coming out. As youc an see in the pictures, lots of youth, and lots of adult voices together (we couldn't fit the men in... that's how big the choir was!). Lots renewed acquaintances, and lots of fun. Thanks you, Alora, for the songs we heard; Heather for running home to get a descant; thank you for Johnny Appleseed to everyone; Samantha for coming (I really did remember you! Honest!), and for the entire choir for making it a wonderful night.

A post?!? yeah, right!

OK, first of all, the fact that the last post on this blog was Nov. 29, 2006 is SAD. VERY SAD. My apologies to those who depend on this blog for meaning in their life (which would make THEM sad, too!).

The big news is that Choir School 2007 application forms are printed! But even better than that - this year we have ONLINE REGISTRATION!!!! You can register for Choir School online beginning later this week! Got o the wesbite, www.choirschoolsite.com, to find out more. It has just been updated, too.

As some of you know, there have been special Evensong services taking place around the Diocese. So far, we've been to St. Stephen, Fredericton, and Rothesay. Later this month (March 18th), we'll be in Moncton. After that, Bathurst, Woodstock (yay!), and Saint John. The picture right here is of some of the choir at St. Paul's Rothesay, on Feb. 4th (there were 38 in the choir!). If you're around when Evensong comes to town, come sing in the choir!

Evensong Services Off and Running!

It's been a while (AGAIN!!) but some new things to share with you. Choir School has held 2 of its 7 planned 50th Anniversary CHoral Evensong Services. The firs took place at Christ Church (Parish) in Fredericton on Oct. 15th; 50+ people turned out for a wonderufl eveing, and about 20 in the Choir (that's the first picture). The next service was held Nov. 19th at Christ Church, St. Stephen, with about 80 people in the congregation (the second picture), and 20 in the choir, including the rector, Peter Mills, and his two children!

The next Evensong service comes on Feb. 4th, at St. Paul's in Rothesay. Check out the website (www.choirschoolsite.com) for more details!

How is everyone doing? Any plans for Christmas?

Yes... there's actually a new post!

Yes, I'm actually writing something here. Between vacation in August, and everything was waiting for me when I got back, not much time is left. Also, there's lot of music to listen to as well... for those of you who listen to Christian music, Building 429 has new a disc out called "Rise"; great if you're into crunchy guitar!

Choir School 50 is still months away, but the celebrations begin in October! The first of seven Choral Evensong services will be held at Christ Church (Parish) in Fredericton, on Oct. 15th at 7:00pm. Any former choristers who attended before medallions were available will get to recevie one at that service! Any current choristers in the area are of course welcomed to attend, and also sing in the choir, too (nudge, nudge; wink, wink). Another service will be held at Christ Church, St. Stephen, on Nov. 19th.

How is everyone's fall going? Post something to let us all know what's up!

It's about... uhh... chocolate?

I was with a group of kids recently who were listening to some music. I recognized one of the songs they were listening to, and asked them what they thought it was about. Silence. No one said anything. They had all just told me how much they LOVED this song, yet none of them seemed to have any clue about what it was saying. I tried a few more times, telling them that everyone's opinion counted, that a song can mean different things to different people... nothing.

I really missed Choir School right at that moment. I missed our 11:00am Christian Culture classes, where so many of you said so much about what you were thinking and feeling. I don't believe you said so much just because you were stuck in a basement with nothing better to do (although there were some mighty FINE couches there!). I believe that many of you take your music very seriously, and listen to the songs you do BECAUSE they have meaning for you, as much as a good beat. I love hearing some of this from you. I loved seeing how much a song like "Concrete Angel" meant to you by how quickly you reacted to hearing it, and by how much you talked about it afterwards. That meant a lot to me.

I miss Choir School. Only 347 days to go.