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Dick - you and Larry Gordon are two of those special people that can get a rag tag army of singers to create wonderful music together. Week after week the UU choir has added so much spiritual energy to the services and complimented Joan's heartfelt sermons. Thanks for contributing so much of your time and skills to our choir - it's been a blessing (is "blessing" ok UU-wise?).
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Singing for both you and Larry has been a hoot. There could hardly be two such different conducting styles, but somehow the concerts and services are always the greatest. Like everybody else I'm crushingly disappointed that the Spring ORC concert didn't happen - it would have been a peak experience for the singers and the audiences. Maybe in the future...
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Things will never be the same after this pandemic, but we will keep on singing, adding our voices to the cosmic vibrations. I hope that you and me and the choir are all able to keep doing what we love, making music with our friends.
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Bob
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On May 24, 2020 at 12:38 PM Richard Riley via Choir <choir@unitarianchurchofmontpelier.org> wrote:
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Dear Choir,
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<br>As I enjoy the energy that has come from you as we Zoom in on Music Sunday next week, I have some difficult news to share. The work required by a music director at UCM at this unusual time is no longer a good fit for my passion for in-person music making. The church needs someone with the energy, motivation, and flexible skill set to address the challenging times we are now in. Now is the right time for me to end my tenure as your music director.
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<br>My greatest value to the church has been the opportunity to work with
<u>you</u>: to engage you as members of the congregation to sing in the choir, and to ensure that the choir’s level of performance is high enough to always be a positive element in UCM services. It has also been wonderful to work with Eliza, and to bring in guest musicians.
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<br>I will miss doing all that, and I am sure that I can’t totally know what it will feel like to not be involved in the way I have been but, hey, time marches on - however strange time is these days.
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<br>I'm writing to you now because Joan has just announced my decision at the Annual Meeting. I'm writing with tears in my eyes, but with the hope that Music Sunday will help me express my appreciation for my time with you.
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With love,
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Dick
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</div>Unitarian Church of Montpelier
<br>Choir email list
<br>unsubscribe at www.unitarianchurchofmontpelier.org
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