Join the ACM Choir! 

Be where the musical action is during the 2008 ACM --- join the Conference Choir!  Music director Jane Perry has planned a veritable cornucopia of choral delights, including: 

• A choral version of the conference theme song, Circle of Song, by Ottawa UU singer-songwriter Tony Turner (below).  This song has long been a favorite at the First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa, and we’re delighted that we can now share it with all of you!

• Social-justice songs from many traditions, in English and in French

•  Meditative music suitable for evensongs and worship services

 The emphasis will be on simple but effective choral music that you can take home to share with your congregation, whether you have a thriving music program or no choir at all.   

Celebrate the “The Web of Life – In our Hands” “La toile de la vie – Entre nos mains” through music, and encourage its strength through a common musical experience.   

Sign up for the Choir and add your voice to the musical celebration.  Be a part of the Conference Choir!  Please confirm your participation by contacting Jane Perry, ACM Choir Director at choir@cuc.ca 

CUC ACM 2008 Conference Theme Song 

Circle of Song (by Tony Turner) 

Chorus:          Come, join with me in the circle of song
                        The young and the old, the weak and the strong
                        Singing with one voice, though we may speak diff’rent tongues
                        In the circle of song, we are one. 

Verse 1:         Some sing of the past, of battles lost and won
                        Some sing of their dreams, of a new day in the sun
                        Some sing out for love and some sing just for fun
                        But in the circle of song we are one

Chorus:          Come, join with me…

 Verse 2:         Some sing of this land, the country of their birth
                        Some sing of this land, of the beauty of the earth
                        Some sing of this land for all that it is worth
                        But in the circle of song we are one

Chorus:          Come, join with me…

Verse 3:         Each of us must leave this place and go back to our homes
                        Each of us must walk a path that must be walked alone
                        And each of us will bear the fruit of the seeds that we have sown
                        In the circle of song, we are one. 

Chorus:          Come, join with me…

Viens avec moi, dans ce cercle d’ami(e) s
Où jeunes et moins jeunes, où grands et petits
Chantent d’une seule voix, à travers leurs différences
Dans ce cercle d’ami(e) s, tous uni(e) s. 

Circle of Song lyrics and music are copyrighted by Tony Turner, 2002.  Mr. Turner has kindly given permission to the organizers of the Canadian Unitarian Council 2008 Annual Conference and Meeting to use Circle of Song as the conference theme song.  

Music related Concurrent Sessions

 

Saturday 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
C7.      CUC Chapbook Launch and Creative Workshop
In conjunction with the launch of the 2008 CUC Poetry Chapbook, two UU writers will be offering an interactive, creative workshop. After a multi-media arts kick-off with local UU musicians and artists, participants will be invited to follow their inspiration and create their own work in poetry, music and/or art.  Diane Schmolka

Sunday 9:00 am – 10:30 am
D1.      Choir Sunday Service – 11:00 am – noon
CUC ACM Choir: Director Jane Perry
Algonquin Gym

Sunday 2:45 pm - 4:15 pm
E3.      U Sing Me, a Choral Workshop:  Join Unitarian Church of Edmonton composer Gordon Ritchie for a singing workshop of his original choral music.  All voices and levels of musical experience welcome. (Multigenerational) Gordon Ritchie 

Sunday 2:45 pm - 4:15 pm
E10..      Music of the Moment:  Creative singing workshop using tones, syllables and occasional words to express the spirit of the moment.  Various structures are used (call and response, gradual entry, layered phrases, sustained chords, etc) to bring order, while individuals experience the joy of opening the mouth and letting the sound emerge. Maura Volante  

Sunday 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm
F11.    Music Workshop:  Jane is the Director of Music for the First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa and Fred is Minister Emeritus of the UU Fellowship of Ottawa.  They hope to have some excellent advice for musical Unitarians in a Sunday Service setting. 
Rev Fred Cappuccino & Jane Perry 

Monday 10-11am – Chris White, Artistic Director of the Ottawa Folk Festival, in the Gym – as Prelude to the Closing Ceremonies.