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.
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

Here's the latest news from the RSCM America National Choir:

• A steering committee has been formed and is meeting, with Doug Worthington in the leadership position of Logistics Manager
• We are working on our next event: singing at Washington National Cathedral from January 15-17, 2016. We are hoping to obtain an invitation to sing at the White House for the President! (anyone out there have a good contact?)
• Recommendations from the Board were discussed and adopted:
• The choir will number 40 voices; a waiting list will exist should the balance of voices require additions for an event
• Every member of the choir must belong to an RSCM-affiliated organization, or be an Individual or Friend member.
• There will be trips within the U.S. approximately once per year, avoiding the summer as many singers attend our Summer Training Courses
• A longer trip abroad will be planned for every three to five years
• Just as no Training Course may have the same director for more than two years in a row, the National Choir will also only have the same director for a period of two years. The steering committee will be responsible for making recommendations to the Board for new directors, and the Board will select the new director.
• When a new director is selected, all choir members will be required to re-audition, and invitations will be sent out to all of RSCM America to submit auditions at that time. The new director will then select the 40 voices for the choir.
• Any qualifying member of RSCM America may send in an audition recording at any time to be added to the waiting list. Details may be obtained by contacting the director--presently Andrew Walker: 407-843-8448 or [email protected]

There continues to be great excitement amongst the choir members--primarily because of the fact that this choir actually exists, and that they are a part of it! There is great potential for the future!