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.
“A musical/liturgical experience I will never forget. It was as if time stopped and the very breath of God became our communal breath (Coventry Choir, Orchestra, myself). We became vessels of hope in the midst of war.”
Around the turn of the century (yes, I know that makes me sound old!), Ed Bacon told me about a new parishioner to All Saints, Bill Cunliffe — a world-class jazz musician. Not living in that world, I hadn’t heard of Bill (or any other famous living jazz musicians), but we met and discussed >
The premiere of Bill Cunliffe's Hymn was a complete surprise for Tim Howard and myself. The choirs commissioned Bill to write the piece for the occasion of the 10-year anniversary of the collaboration of Timothy Howard and James Walker. Since Tim played trombone in high school and I played the clarinet, they asked Bill to include those two instruments in the piece. They asked Greg Norton to conduct and Paul Floyd to accompany, and they had three secret rehearsals at Pasadena Presbyterian Church in the weeks leading up to the day. During the Greetings at the 11:15 service, Ed Bacon called Tim and me up and simultaneously Coventry Choir joined Canterbury Choir in the chancel. Bill, Greg and Paul entered the chancel. Both Tim and I freaked out! Then it was announced what was happening. It was an amazing experience and a complete surprise.
