PSALLAM! RSCM America News & Info
February 2012 
Greetings! 

As part of the Board's communication goals, I plan on keeping you all informed (and hopefully sometimes entertained and challenged) with a monthly Constant Contact e-mail. Here is the first one.

Soli Deo Gloria,
Andrew's signature
Andrew Walker
President, RSCM America
 
In This E-mail
Farewell to Gerre Hancock
In Memoriam: Tucky Thompson
Also in the News
Farewell to Gerre Hancock
And when from death I'm free, I'll sing on, I'll sing on;
And when from death I'm free, I'll sing on.
And when from death I'm free I'll sing and joyful be,
And through eternity I'll sing on, I'll sing on,
And through eternity I'll sing on.
American folk hymn, ca. 1835

Gerre Hancock
Gerre Hancock, FRSCM
Dr. Gerre Hancock, FRSCM, affectionately known as "Uncle Gerre" by so many of us, has been singing and playing "through eternity" since Saturday, January 21, 2012. Some wonderful information, and the list of music for the service held on Saturday, February 4, can be found on the St. Thomas Church Fifth Avenue website, here and here. The second link given has information about the family's wishes with regard to donations in lieu of flowers, with links to two organizations and one project. Here also is the New York Times announcement. We are very thankful to Ben Hutto, FRSCM, who represented RSCM America at the service.

Many of us have fond, fond memories of singing under Gerre's superb direction or listening to his masterful playing, especially those glorious improvisations. I recall a story told when he was improvising at a Princeton RSCM course with another organist assisting in registration selection, when, as he was coming to the final fff section, he leaned over to the assistant and said "...the kitchen sink...."! My first experience with Uncle Gerre was singing at a Princeton Course in the early 1980s. He was a consummate master in dealing with choirs and the people in them, of all ages. He confirmed so profoundly for me something I think at the time I basically knew: Yes, you don't have to be mean, nasty and shout at your choir to get what you want! With such charm, wit, and generosity of spirit, how could one not give of one's all to sing to the glory of God under his direction! Later, I was overjoyed when he agreed to play the dedicatory recital in 1998 for the Opus 106 Andover instrument that I play at St. Michael's. His legacy lives on in so many of us. May we all be completely true to it, and pass it on.
 
In Memoriam: Tucky Thompson
This past month we bid a sad farewell to another of our prominent and highly supportive members of the RSCM America community - Tucky Thompson. We thank Alan Reed, co-manager of the Charlotte Course, for representing RSCM America at Tucky's memorial service. Below are a few paragraphs from Marilyn Neely, registrar for the Carolina Course.

Tucky Thompson
Tucky Thompson
Mary (Tucky) Thompson of Southern Pines, N.C. died on January 26, 2012 following a courageous battle with cancer. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a B.A. in music and from Nazareth College in Rochester, N.Y. with an M.A. in early childhood education. She served as headmistress of the Emmanuel Episcopal Day School in Southern Pines for six years and most recently managed the law office for Robert Thompson, P.A.

Tucky will be greatly missed by the RSCM Carolina Course for Girls & Adults. She was instrumental in establishing that course in 1996 and served as registrar for several years. She became registrar again in 2011 when the course underwent new management. Tucky was an avid handbell ringer and sang in several church choirs over the years, most recently for Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Southern Pines.

She leaves behind a daughter, Stephanie Boswell and husband, Hunter, of Durham, N.C.; a son, Michael Thompson and wife, Bridgette, of Lewisburg, Pa.; and a special friend, John Barrows, of Williamsburg, Va.

A chorister scholarship is being established in Tucky's honor for the RSCM Carolina Course for Girls & Adults. Specific donation information will be communicated to the RSCM America community when it becomes available.

Tucky's obituary in The Pilot of Southern Pines can be found here.
 
Also in the News
There is a new RSCM area in France!

The four winning compositions of the RSCM King James Bible Anthem Competition are now available

Many of you may have fond memories of working with Martin How. He wrote that wonderful setting of The Chorister's Prayer that I am sure many of us still use. His Anglican chants are now available in a collected edition

Your Board of Directors just had an excellent meeting in January at St. Michael's, Orlando in sunny Florida. A very energetic and committed crew we have! Two of our major goals for the coming year are membership growth and increased communication. Of the many excellent statements heard at the meeting, one bears further reflection. Concerning who we are in comparison to other organizations: "We are a working organization, not a professional organization." How true. In training and preparing young choristers to take the place of adults, we are committed by our very nature to "paying it forward" and to giving God the very best we have to offer, Sunday by Sunday.
 
Psallam Spiritu et Mente!
RSCM America promotes excellence in church music practice and choral singing, is part of the worldwide network of The Royal School of Church Music, and works in collaboration with Westminster Choir College of Rider University.
Get To Know
Your Board
Christopher Harrell
RSCM America welcomed three new Directors to the Board at its January meeting. Get to know Betsy Calhoun, Christopher Harrell, and Stephen Rosebrock at our
Board of Directors page

 
2012 Course Brochure
Gulf Coast picture
RSCM America's 2012 Training Courses brochure is available online. Each of you will also receive a paper copy in the mail this week! Let Kevin Radtke know if you would like additional paper copies
 
Please note-
Bruce Neswick
has graciously agreed to serve as Music Director for the Charlotte Course

Marilyn Neely
has graciously agreed to serve as Registrar for the Carolina Course
 
 
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