"It is my first everything"

This quote is by Linus Larrabee in the 1995 remake of Sabrina as he is about to board the Concord to Paris. While I'm not going there, (though I will some day, with my Aunt Ruth as guide for Garland and me!!), I do have that feeling I imagine Linus experiencing--for the day after tomorrow I am finally getting a stamp in my passport!

My husband and I are traveling to Ireland and Scotland with The Florida Voices and RHS to sing in 2 castles (Edinburgh and Stirling), 2 cathedrals (St. Andrew's and St. Giles), the Kylemore Abbey, and as participants of the Bray Festival in Dublin. From May 26 through June 7 we will be experiencing our "first everything"! We fly into Shannon, Ireland and spend 2 days each in Galway and Dublin before taking the ferry from Larne, Ireland to Cairnryan, Scotland. Once there we will spend 2 days in Edinburgh, Inverness, Glasgow with a day at Fort William.

Talk with you soon, with all the pics and news!

A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words

And That's A Wrap...

I have been away from blogging for a few weeks, wrapping up the end of the choir year at Riverview High School. Upon returning from State, we immediately began rehearsals for the Spring Concert that was held this past Friday night. Much of the planning and coordinating of the second half (Movie and Music) is my responsibility, so my time has been limited. The evening was a great success because of the unbelievable talents and hard work of the students.

Since State, the honors choir, Center Stage, voted for next year's Renaissance Feast's head table. The four positions are King, Queen, Lord and Lady Chamberlain. It is a huge honor to be eligible and to take part in the Feast in any of these four roles.

This past year, two best friends were Queen and Lady Chamberlain. Kelly Taylor and Lauren Turner truly blessed all of us in 2005. (This Saturday is their graduation from high school. My heart is full of love and admiration for both young women and it is difficult to imagine their absence from my daily life. Kelly heads off to Florida Atlantic University and Lauren to Vanderbilt this fall. I will miss them beyond words.)




As for Renaissance, 2006, we will once again have two best friends in the roles of Queen and Lady Chamberlain. Claire Heckerman and my daughter, Katy, will step into these leadership positions with the grace and dignity they always possess.


The roles of King and Lord Chamberlain are being filled by Brandon Giorlando and Kevin Juergens. Katy, Brandon, and Kevin have sung together in choir since the 6th grade, and so begins next year's choir season even while this year's is winding down.


Friday evening is the final event...the Senior Banquet. Our daughter, Emma, is flying in for the weekend, and it will be a balm to my soul to have our entire family home together. The event is "black and white attire", and will be a wonderful time to celebrate and say good-bye to our seniors.

Once more, CONGRATULATIONS, CLASS OF 2006!

State of Mind, Part 2

Well, we're home, little worn for the wear! Daytona was beautiful-our hotel was just a mile away from the famous 500 Speedway Track. We all ate surprisingly good pizza at a place right on the beach Sunday night after a 4 hour drive with 90 students and a dozen chaperones. Consider this my postcard to all of you..."Having a great time, wish you were here!"


Then the fun began first thing Monday morning--

After two days of performances, Riverview is returning to Sarasota with a record 71 Superiors and 7 Excellents!


We're really proud of all the hard work our students have invested this year in preparation, and it certainly paid off! We're graduating 1/3 of our students in two weeks, and their leadership will be greatly missed.

Congratulations RHS!