• RSCM America remains at over 600 members, partially as a result of the Board's initiatives to call and welcome new members and to call those who have not renewed to see if we can bring them back into the fold. It was decided, due to increases in what we pay each year to RSCM International per member (a "capitation" fee that is the same for all international branches), a small increase to our annual membership dues is necessary at this time. As of June 1, 2014, the new rates will be--Affiliate: $125 (up from $115); Individual: $100 (up from $85); Friend: $60 (up from $55).  
• We continue to develop a means of helping all of our members with the implementation of the VOICE for LIFE training program. Within the Board, director Diane Caruso will be looking at what each of us do who use the program, in order that helpful items and modi operandi might find their way to our website or be disseminated by other means. The Getting Started section of our website has already had many responses from our members detailing how VOICE for LIFE is implemented in their organizations.
• All of the Training Courses are in good shape as we head into another summer of music making.
• The Board especially noted its grateful thanks for the years of splendid service given by Phillip Brunswick in running the St. Louis Course. During his 16-year tenure as course manager, he continually maintained the highest standards and showed great creativity in the managing of the week itself, the schedule, and places to sing. A job MOST well done, Phillip! We will miss you!
• In terms of PR, the Board continues to look for inroads into various organizations and denominations where we can promote the work of RSCM America, its presence in this country, and the VOICE for LIFE program. The National Association of Pastoral Musicians Convention in St. Louis this summer may well be one avenue we will pursue. There will also be a strong presence, including an exhibition table, at this year's Association of Anglican Musicians Conference in Washington, D.C.
• We welcomed John Wahlstrom as a new member of the Board in January. In thinking about the future needs of the Board, we ask all our members to help us identify candidates that are both great supporters of choral music and the work of the RSCM, and that are skilled in matters of PR and marketing. Click here for a Director Recommendation Form. 
• In late spring the RSCM is adopting a new Bronze and Silver Awards Syllabus, with many of the processes involved with obtaining a Bronze or Silver Award becoming standardized and available online. We thank Linda Buzard, our awards agent, for devoting much time and energy into tweaking the repertoire and hymn lists to include American titles.

One of the most exciting aspects of this group is its make-up--we have highly-trained voices and musicians with years of experience, young singers with a great deal of training and a few years of experience, and also those without advanced levels of musical or vocal training, but definitely with the experience of singing "cathedral-level" music for years. We have folks in their 20s to their 60s--choir members, choir directors, band directors, organists, and even a few from upper academia! The group truly does represent RSCM America and all that we are.

We will be singing four Evensong services at Westminster Abbey: December 29 and 30, 2014 and January 1 and 2, 2015. The Evensong on Tuesday, December 30 will be conducted by Andrew Reid, Director of the RSCM. Stay tuned for many more updates as our trip approaches!