2019 FRANKLIN WINTER CHORAL CONCERT

Tonight will be my 24th year conducting a Winter Concert for public schools. I’m honored to be here at Franklin to lead and inspire a new generation of singers. This year I wanted to take a moment to reflect on Franklin’s High School’s vision of Tradition. Future. Community.

While looking back and reflecting on the traditions that shaped and continue to inspire me, I stumbled across an old vinyl recording of a 1964 Portland All City Music performance in Portland’s Memorial Coliseum. I was moved by the 3,750 voice choir singing for the pure joy of music and community. It reminded me of the importance of performance-based Chorale Education and the impact it has on students’ ability and desire to aspire to their highest potential.

The challenge of today’s digital world is that music has become a passive not an active art; we watch but do not participate. It is up to us to create a future where EVERYONE SINGS.

Singing is free, joyous and powerful. It is my hope and goal to keep these traditions of community singing alive within the Franklin Cluster. We all sing – in our cars, in the shower, to our children at night -- let’s sing together!

Join us at the 2020 All City Middle and High School Honor Choir Performance, January, 28^th 7pm in the Franklin High School Auditorium.