1996

We had done a few Christmas Coffeehouses as fund-raisers for our Coventry Choir tours, beginning in 1992. My vision for those was quite simple: use some choral arrangements of mostly-secular carols, have the choir stand up front and sing them, intersperse with a few solos, entertain the congregation with something different than liturgical Advent music and earn some choir scholarship funds. Sweet. Paul Dupree brought a whole new genre to our life with Home for the Holidays. The whole process, from the very beginning, was so engaging to the members of Coventry Choir, as they each chose a character they would like to be. Paul brilliantly wove those characters into a vibrant, fully staged/choreographed, entertaining, moving and altogether joyful extravaganza. I will never forget it and still enjoy watching the recording. Many happy memories ... and a big, fulfilling stretch for all of us.

at the Association's Western Division Convention. Gary Bachlund's The One God, Praise premieres.