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 >

Philip Brunelle is the organist-choirmaster who worked with Garrison Keillor for many years. When the LA Phil contracted Keillor to lead a Christmas show at Disney Hall, Phil contacted his long-time colleague, Fred Swann, asking which church choirs would be best suited to be part of the event. (Garrison asked specifically for church choirs to participate.) Since Kirk Choir of PPC and Coventry Choir of ASC had just joined forces to lead worship that July for the national AGO convention, Fred recommended us. What a fun event, especially the choir/piano rehearsal with Keillor and Brunelle at All Saints, in preparation for the event — time up close with Garrison Keillor.