Catherine Pederson retired as the Founding Director of the Orcas Choral Society last weekend. The following are her remarks on May 8 and 9, 2010 at the receptions following the Orcas Choral Society’s Spring Concerts

In an attempt to express my thanks for everything that has led to this evening’s celebration, I’d like to go back to our beginnings for a minute to acknowledge the contributions of Dale Pederson – his boundless enthusiasm for the Choral Society, his organizational abilities and his determination that this group would succeed – and I’m not sure it could have succeeded without Louellen McCoy’s dedication as well, as a gifted pianist, accompanist and friend. We old timers set a steady course in those early years – of love of music, steadfastness in friendship and respect for each other, and of being a meaningful part of the community – of singing each other’s songs.

We have worked at staying with that course over the years – and I leave feeling we’ve done that.

Old Timers include, of course, charter members Louellen McCoy, Jerry Hunter, Stan Miller, Katie Jensen, and Marilyn Andrews –   who are with us tonight, and Myra Jo Richardson, who was not able to attend – and those of you who have sung for 20 or more years or 10 or more – or the many of you who have become welcome singers since then.

I’m grateful for the encouragement and help of my daughters – who are all here tonight – and my son, who is not, for singing, playing, encouraging and generally “putting up” with the Choral Society for all these years.

It’s almost impossible to make a choir go round without a good accompanist.  We have been blessed with musically talented and dedicated accompanists from our beginnings – Louellen for our first 25 years – then Terri and Patty who have played for us Tuesday night after Tuesday night and performed with us beautifully as well.

Thank you to the Friends of the Choral Society for your financial support which has enabled us to enjoy the luxuries of a large library of choral music, and the inclusion of instrumental guests who enrich our enjoyment and yours.  Thanks so very much to these continuing donors; and to all of you who have given so generously to the Choral Society in so many ways all these years:

And my thanks to Phil Burbo who, as President of the Choral Society, has led us with steadfast support and wisdom during this past year of search and transition.  Phil maintains a valued stability in the ongoing life of the choir in many ways – and under his leadership the Board has brought us Roger Sherman as the new Director of the Choral Society – perhaps for the next 33 years.

Thanks, to all of you who have helped create this evening’s beautiful reception.

Thank you again – all of you – for being here tonight…your presence at concerts is more gratifying than I can say – we never want to see empty seats – and because of you …we haven’t, over the years, seen very many!

Finally – To every singer who has raised a voice in song in this unique group we call The Choral Society – Thank you for being a part of our shared life in music

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