Coventry, Mastersingers and Troubadours sing for American Choral Directors
at the Association's Western Division Convention. Gary Bachlund's The One God, Praise premieres.
Induction of Reverend James Edwin Bacon, Jr.
This was my first Induction Service, and it felt a little bit closer to a Coronation because of the intensity I brought to it. I certainly wanted to make an impression with my new boss, as we inducted Ed Bacon as the ninth rector of All Saints Church. We had both Canterbury and Coventry sing, along with brass quintet, for which I composed my arrangement of Ralph Vaughan Williams' Psalm 91. I remember Ed to be over-the-top excited about all of it, including much care in the choice of all hymns and service music, adding several new congregational pieces to our repertoire, all in that one service.
First Spring Concert with combined Canterbury, Coventry and Children’s and Youth Choirs
Collaborations are always challenging, and usually — in the end — immensely gratifying. Coming off the year of George Regas celebrations and the election of Ed Bacon as the new rector, the music staff decided that a combined adult and children's/youth choirs concert would be the perfect way to cap the year. It was glorious.
A year of celebrating the life and ministry of George Frank Regas ends with a festive eucharist in the street
What a day that was! The culmination of a full program year of celebrations of the ministry of George Regas, and this final one packed with emotion in overdrive. I remember arriving that morning and the weather was drizzling. "Oh, great! This is just perfect!" I whined. In the end, it was all a grand celebration, and I was excited that Canterbury and Coventry choir premiered my setting of the prayer that George used each week to open his sermon, "Help Us, O God." Anne Peterson and I forged a special bond that year, not only because of the ending of George's tenure as rector, but also because both of us were going through divorces at the time. It was all a little (actually a lot) too much to handle. Anne and I had our picture taken together after the service, and though still smiling, we both look totally beat. Transitions.
Coventry Choir tours the Bay Area
Concerts in Petaluma and at Laguna Honda Hospital and Rehabilitation Center, Morning Eucharist at Stanford Memorial Church, and Evensong at Grace Cathedral.
Coventry soloists in concert
This was a really fun concert, and I'll always remember that it was my public singing debut as a baritone. I was studying voice with Barbara Dyer, my music department colleague at Occidental College. We worked really hard, and I held my own with these four fantastic singers — especially on the Finale!