Dear Teammates,
Thank you, one and all, for a year of fun music making! The group reached new heights. The level of artistry was outstanding.
Thank you for two exciting concerts and a very fun morning of music with the Arbutus Global Middle School vocal jazz ensemble under the able direction of Jen Smith.
By the looks of things, a few people will be moving on to new pastures, and many will be returning. We held preliminary auditions and we were graced with excellent voices ready to participate in the group once we complete auditions in September. I am in the process of compiling a short list that will be compared to the auditions in September that will be conducted by our excellent team of peer panelists.
To those leaving—best wishes for your success and happiness! Keep in touch!
To those returning—I look forward to a new year of fun-filled music. I'll be sending out an email to all returning singers in mid August to confirm positions in the group, just so we know how many positions to fill.
Huge thanks are due to our rhythm section—Rob (dr), Brendan (bass), Sky (dr) and Jordan (gtr), and especially Gabe and Stephanie, our rehearsal pianists!—your support and indispensable participation is so very much appreciated.
To our technicians under the able guidance of Kirk McNally—thank you for all that you do! We cannot do what we do without you.
To the composers of the music we perform—cheers! We couldn't do what we do without the great charts given to us by the composers.
Thank you to the UVic Print Services for the excellent work on posters and handbills!
A very special thanks to Olivia and Claire for contributions above and beyond the call of duty—website development, organization, scheduling, Singing Valentine's fundraiser. Olivia was the Ensemble Manager this year. We are grateful for her thoughtful contributions and excellent ability to prompt everyone to excellence.
Lastly, thank you to our audiences—friends, relatives, colleagues, strangers from far and near—we do it for you because no performance is complete without the audience.
Yours,
Wendell.
P.S.—If anyone has pics from the Spring Showcase, please forward to me at your earliest convenience. WC.