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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=MsoNormal>I have been trying all of this week to write a letter to you regarding the success of our Holiday Pops project that adequately expresses my appreciation to the many people who made it happen so effectively. There is just so much I want to say and so many people to thank that I created the kind of document that Winston Churchill referenced when he made the famous quote: “…this report by its very length, demands that it never be read”. So, I have started over and will do my best to keep it simple. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We had many obstacles to overcome that seemed very daunting as the performances approached. We were behind in our preparation and we had issues such as illness, the logistical conflict of an afternoon parade and poor weather that were out of our control. What made it successful was that the overwhelming majority of all involved stayed positive, kept their cool and kept working. The result was three outstanding performances. If you have not seen the review, click here <a href="http://www.cvnc.org/article.cfm?articleId=6533">http://www.cvnc.org/article.cfm?articleId=6533</a> I think John Lambert’s review was spot on.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The list of individuals to thank is really too lengthy for this email, because I don’t want to leave anyone out and <i>everyone</i>, meaning Karen Hart, <i>every</i> chorus member, <i>every </i>orchestra member, board member and non singing member needs to be on it. It is this commitment from so many that makes The Concert Singers of Cary the great organization that it has been for nearly 23 years. It is important to me that you know how deeply I appreciate you and all that you do to make our mission a reality.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Ingrid and I would like to extend to all of you our very best Holiday wishes and look forward to seeing you when we resume on January 13<sup>th</sup>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Larry<o:p></o:p></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 border=0 width=121 height=122 id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image001.jpg@01CEFD76.7B5465E0" alt="CSC_final_logo"></span><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></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'><a href="http://www.concertsingers.org"><span style='color:blue'>www.concertsingers.org</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#984806'><a href="http://www.speakmanvocalarts.com"><span style='color:blue'>www.speakmanvocalarts.com</span></a><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><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>