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July 2003 --
Hello Fellow Alums!
As the AOYC moves into its ‘40s’, we are doing great. Our present choir has
represented us well by singing at Ohio’s tribute to September 11, Governor
Taft’s inauguration, and by showing many music directors just how well their
students learn and perform as the Cardinal Chorale represented the OYC at the
2003 Ohio Music Education Association Conference.
Your board has been hard at work too. We have just purchased our own flag (used
for the “Battle Hymn” finale). Previously, the choir had borrowed a flag from
the fair. It was felt that it would be better to have our own flag, especially
for off-site performances. As you may have seen in past newsletters, we have
asked for daily sponsors to help offset the cost of the flag. There are still
several days available. Why not get a few of your choir friends together to
sponsor your choir year (that’s a hint for you celebrating 5, 10, and 25 years
this year)?
Our other BIG project is to replace the choir risers. We have already purchased
two desperately needed risers. Recently, we also purchased a covered cargo
trailer to store and protect our new investment. For those that you who have
been a crew member in the past, you will certainly appreciate the trailer. This
will make transporting our equipment easier and safer. The funds for the trailer
came from the money budgeted for risers, and will be a great asset to the choir.
Please remember that we are only about 50% to our goal, so your further
contributions and involvement are needed to make the riser project a reality. As
a non-profit organization, there may be groups in your community that would be
glad to donate to our cause. Contact an officer if you can make this happen.
Once again, we will be sponsoring a float in the daily parade, so come and see
us! Our other big project this year will be a display in the fair’s Historical
Tent. We are still seeking items to display. We would like to have many samples
of uniforms through the years, plus something to display them on (mannequins).
Pictures and articles would be great too. Send them to our P.O. Box before July
25th, or drop them off at the choir office. This will highlight the 41 years of
the Youth Choir to many fairgoers.
We have several fundraising items for sale, including magnets, window clings,
and emblems. We also have “Friends and Family” shirts available (see the order
form in this newsletter). You can now purchase a video of the slide show shown
at last year’s Alumni Day Memorial Concert. If you haven’t seen it, I’m sure you
will be impressed with how many pictures were collected for this 30 minute
presentation of the 40 year history of the Youth Choir. These are some wonderful
memories! We are hoping to have our auction again this year, and the Glenville
Thomas Memorial Concert will showcase some our talented alumni. Donations will
be collected for our scholarship fund. Help make a future choir member dream a
reality with your contributions.
So, as you can see, we are trying to keep tradition going forward, but nothing
will happen if you don’t do your part. I can’t contact each of you individually,
but please be brave and contact us by mail or email.
I know many of you cannot be with us on Alumni Day, but the choir still performs
everyday, and we are still in the Rhodes Center. Come by and see us. All
merchandise is available at the choir office, and any donations would be gladly
accepted at any time. If you are at any one of the six to eight performances
each day, ask a staff member... they can point you to one of the board members
on the staff.
This will be my 25th anniversary, so I hope to see many ’78 alums this year. As
you can tell, this organization has made a big impact on my life, and I am very
happy to show my pride. I thank Mr. Thomas for giving me the opportunity 25
years ago, and I thank Mr. Snyder for keeping it alive and for giving so many
others the opportunity to experience this unbelievable adventure. For many, it
will change their lives, move them towards a career, and give them confidence
and leadership abilities. For me, the Youth Choir has kept music alive.
Hopefully, my son and daughters will be given the same opportunity to experience
the All-Ohio Youth Choir.
Thanks for listening. I’ll be waiting to see you at the fair!
Karen Hildreth ‘78
Treasurer
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