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James Walker

2008

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Norman Lear’s Born Again American films in Rose Bowl

By |2021-07-04T16:07:54-07:00November 11th, 2008|News, Timeline All Saints|

After Barack Obama was elected President in November 2008, Norman Lear had the idea of making a video that could be part of the celebrations around the Inauguration — something that would celebrate the joy of our diversity as a nation. The idea was to have one song that would be sung by diverse soloists and ensembles in iconic US locations. Lear has had a long association / friendship with All Saints Church, so he called Ed Bacon, asking that the All Saints Choir perform the song in the Rose Bowl. I didn't immediately warm to the idea, and truth be told, it was an enormous hassle, because the studio folks said no printed music existed. They sent a CD of the song, which we learned as best we could, by rote, in the choir room, then headed to the Rose Bowl for recording. Crazy! The composer was there and said, "There is printed music, with parts even." BLAH. Anyhow, it is a wonderful remembrance and a pretty cool song of celebration.

After two years of recording sessions, the Bill Cunliffe CD launches

By |2022-03-09T16:18:55-08:00October 5th, 2008|News, Program Notes, Timeline All Saints|

In early 1998, I was looking for a spiritual home in Los Angeles. A friend, actor Steve Rowe, told me about a very special place, All Saints Episcopal Church, in Pasadena. Their motto is, “Whoever you are, and wherever you find yourself on your journey of faith, there is a place here for you.” That >

At All Saints’ 125th Anniversary Concert

By |2017-06-09T13:36:29-07:00June 1st, 2008|Timeline All Saints|

Jon Bailey and I are friends dating back to the early years of GALAS (Gays and Lesbians All Saints) in the mid-1980's. On the music faculty of Pomona College for many years, he approached me in the early 21st century about composing some pieces for the All Saints Choirs. Coventry Choir premiered his Magnificat and Nunc dimittis, and we talked about his writing a longer work. The 125th anniversary of the founding of All Saints was coming up in a couple years, and I suggested that might be a wonderful occasion for a new work. Who would write the text? For such a momentous occasion, Anne Peterson immediately came to mind. Many meetings later, a text was provided, and Jon composed this wonderful work.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Multicultural Festival of Choirs Concert

By |2017-06-09T13:34:41-07:00January 27th, 2008|Timeline All Saints|

This was an inspiring event, requiring huge amounts of planning and coordination. It was also one of the most successful collaborations with two large ministries at All Saints Church, as the Peace and Justice ministry — headed by Lori Kizzia — took on the major aspects of coordinating, leaving the music planning to the musicians! It was wonderful to have the diversity represented in the 6 choirs shine forth in the All Saints Church chancel.

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