When I got the call from the LA Philharmonic office wanting us to return to Disney Hall for Christmas Concerts in 2005 — after our successful Garrison Keillor engagement with Pasadena Presbyterian in 2004 — I subtly (and effectively) told them that All Saints had two adult choirs and could provide the full 100 voice choir for 2005. This made logistics so much easier and included Canterbury Choir, which became a fun adventure for the choirs of All Saints.
Ed Bacon's 10-Year Anniversary is celebrated with a service in street, Sunday, May 1, 2005.
It is no secret that I do not enjoy making music in the middle of the street. And there are times when it can become a very festive moment to gather large groups of people and offer a labor of love, in ways that would be less fun (or not even feasible) indoors. This celebration was particularly meaningful, as Elizabeth Lenti had just arrived as associate organist-choirmaster and Bill Cunliffe composed two new choral pieces especially for the occasion.
This was my first national search for an associate organist-choirmaster, and I took a long time! The next two searches (2011 and 2015) I learned how to tighten the process. In any case, it was worth the wait to bring Elizabeth Lenti, moving from Cleveland where she had recently completed her master’s degree >
