At All Saints’ 125th Anniversary Concert
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.
After two years of recording sessions, the Bill Cunliffe CD launches
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 >
Norman Lear’s Born Again American films in Rose Bowl
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.
Association of Anglican Musicians National Conference
It's a big deal to be invited to perform for an Association of Anglican Musicians national conference! As such, I was pleased that the leaders, knowing our reputation for high quality and for pushing the boundaries of church repertoire, asked us to lead a Jazz Matins. We had the repertoire, with Bill Cunliffe, and both Canterbury and Coventry choirs arranged to take the day off to lead this service. More than anything, I was deeply moved by the ovation the AAM members gave to the fact that there were even choirs there during the middle of the day. That never happens at these conferences. I just thought that sort of thing was normal! It was a beautiful service and many of the AAM members were moved.
General Convention of the National Episcopal Church 2009
Another crazy end of season, coming just one week after the Association of Anglican Musicians performance by both Canterbury and Coventry choirs. We headed to Anaheim on a bus and led the rousing Integrity Eucharist — celebrating LGBT ministries in the Episcopal Church — in a ballroom at the Anaheim Convention Center. Another inspiring time and grateful to have been asked by the national church.
