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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Dear Singers,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>We had a great day yesterday! That was simply a stunning concert in every way! I wish I could convey in words the incredible transcendence of your singing yesterday. This concert was one of our very best. To say congratulations is not nearly enough! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>The Chamber Choir’s singing on the first half was magnificent. The Barber pieces were so beautifully shaped and so tenderly wrought, with wonderfully nuanced colors and flawless blend. This is a very significant accomplishment as Barber’s choral setting are quite challenging. The setting of Fern Hill was magnificent and it was wonderful for you to present a work that has been overlooked by performing organizations for far too long. Bravo to soloists Jami Rhodes, Gloria Cabada-Leman, Jenn Myers, Tyler Oakley and David Cole for their beautiful solo work.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>The Symphonic Choir’s work on Afro-American Fragments was powerful and heartwarming. You sounded wonderful but also did a wonderful job of communicating the text. Will was thrilled with your work and wrote a wonderful not to me that I have pasted in below. What a treat for us to have Diana Thompson with us! I hope to have her back with us in the near future. I want to also thank you for your rousing work on The Settling Years. Your performance was excellent but I was most pleased with how you embraced the spirit of it which was the key to its success. The whistling and hollering made it all work! The final segment with the Pop tunes was a magnificent combination of an outstanding group of performers and the work of two phenomenal arrangers. There is an old quote from the theater world about good writing that says “If it’s not on the page, it’s not on the stage” that really applies here. Combine good writing with outstanding performers and the result is magical. Special kudos to Jenn Myers for her fabulous solo work and her ability to bring a sound that was so appropriate to the music.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>I must also give significant mention to Allen Bailey and David Cole for their absolutely fabulous performance at the piano. We also know them both as wonderful rehearsal accompanists and realize how they support us in developing a great ensemble. And we are always in great hands with members of The Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle who are wonderful performers and collegial in putting together a great concert.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Here are comments to share… <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>From Will Averitt:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Thank you so much for a delightful couple of days. It was my pleasure to be here, to get to meet you and hear your fine groups. I believe so deeply in the importance of amateur choral music. And here, I do mean amateur in the very best sense of doing it for the simple love of the art. You so obviously inspire that love in your singers, and I congratulate you on 22 seasons of successful choral music making.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Your singers were very kind to me in their comments about their experience with Afro-American Fragments. Please thank them again for all their hard work, fine concert and generosity towards me<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText style='text-indent:.5in'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>My warmest wishes for your continued success and...<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText style='text-indent:.5in'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>All good things,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText style='text-indent:.5in'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Will<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>From Diana Thompson:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'>Thank you again for the opportunity to sing in such a lovely concert. Aside from my church job here in Burlington, or singing with the wonderful <em><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>American Spiritual Ensemble </span></em>(on the rare occasion that my schedule allows), I usually do not get the opportunity to work in choral ensembles. It was quite the treat to perform with you all, and it certainly was wonderful getting to meet Mr. Averitt and hearing his compliments on the Billie Holiday piece; what an honor. And... what a lovely programmed concert. I contacted my vocal coach and opera singer, Lauren Flanigan, after I saw that you all were performing a piece from <em><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Vanessa;</span></em> she performed that with NYCO in 2007. Exciting!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'>Please tell the choir that I enjoyed working with them, and that everyone did a lovely job!!! Beautiful venue, beautiful music. Thanks to you and everyone for your warm, welcoming ways! Thank you for this opportunity, and I hope to have the privilege to work with you again in the near future!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in'>Respectfully and sincerely,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in'>Diana<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'> Many thanks to all of you!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Larry<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#984806'>Lawrence Speakman<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#984806'>Artistic Director and Conductor</span></b><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#984806'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:#984806'><img width=121 height=122 id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image001.jpg@01CDC642.97950780" alt="CSC_final_logo"></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#984806'>The Concert Singers of Cary<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#984806'>www.concertsingers.org<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#984806'>www.speakmanvocalarts.com<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#984806'>919-249-6421<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:Consolas;color:#984806'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:8.0pt;color:#984806'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>