All-glorious God, to whom heavenly choristers offer never-failing fountains of perfected praise: Bless the work of the Royal School of Church Music in America as we singers on earth lift flawed souls and imperfect voices to your glorious throne; and so tune our minds, so harmonize our hearts, so captivate our spirits, so inspire our imaginations, and so energize our efforts that we might return these gifts in devoted adoration to you, until the day we join in the song that has no end; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
-The Rev. Ed Pickup, ARSCM, Chaplain to the Board of RSCM America
Our profession has been shaken
by the passing of two bright lights in recent weeks:
John Scott and
Helen Kemp. We offer their families, friends, and colleagues our sincerest condolences, and assure them that their presence among us will be missed. While we know that John and Helen have gone on to "join in the song that has no end", we, who are left behind, carry on with the task of lifting our own still flawed souls and imperfect voices to the glorious throne, and assisting others in doing so.
Your RSCM America Board is working to assist your efforts in your individual parishes, schools, community
choirs, and other spheres of choir training. We have identified a need for supplemental materials to support the VOICE
for LIFE curriculum. We know that many of you have developed such materials, and if you are willing to share them with us, we would love to see what you are using. You may send them to me at
[email protected] and I will collect and forward them to the team working on this project.
We ask that you show your support for RSCM America by observing Music Sunday,
October 18, 2015. We encourage the use of Fr. Ed's Collect above in your services that day. Perhaps use a setting
of the Chorister's Prayer (there are many) as one of your choral offerings that day. You may visit our website's
Music Sunday entry for many more ideas. Finally, if possible, you might consider a special offering that day shared 50/50 to support your program and the work of RSCM America. Remember to send your plans to
Kevin Radtke in the RSCM America office, and he will post them on our website's
Calendar of Events.
I pray that you will find your spirits captivated, your imaginations inspired, and your efforts energized as you begin your Fall season, that all whom you encounter may be moved to join in the song that has no end.
Peace,
Bert Landman
President of RSCM America