[From the Ontario District's newsletter, The Trillium, issue 59-02, April - June, 2005 , Waldo Redekop, editor.]

Are you looking for direction?

By Don Pyper, Manager Chorus Director Development

Our district stands high in the program of developing new directors. Just preceding COTS 2005 there were over 10 chapters looking for directors. If your chapter is in this position, please call the manager of chorus director development, Don Pyper, at 519-782-4425 or e-mail to dpyper @ Lweb.net. You never know what’s available until you ask.

Ontario district has already held one Director of the Future session at COTS in January 2005. Seven candidates got the surprise opportunity to work with the regular director’s class to find out the secrets of directing. Its not so tough. Just wave your arms in time with the chorus and get to the tag just before they do.

Seriously there are a lot of men in our organization who could be good directors if the opportunity  presented itself and they had some encouragement and a chance to direct regularly. You may know someone who needs a little push in the right direction.

The Ontario CDD program consists of the following.

1: CDWI (Chorus Director Workshop Intensive). This is an event where a volunteer local chorus promises to sing for a group of directors who get coached on some of the fine-tuning details of directing. It is a great program. If your chorus would like an opportunity to learn a whole lot in a short time (one afternoon) by being the directed group then let me know soon.

2.  Directors College Scholarships. These arrive by way of invitation from the Society and I’m pleased to announce that Bob Young, Al Vetter, Dave Fewtrell, and Pat Shannon have been invited  to take advantage of this offer. Ontario district also helps  directors to attend one of the best directing  schools on the continent. I continue to be impressed by the quality of the instruction at this event . This year it is at a new location (OHIO State University, Columbus Ohio) from July 31 to August 7, 2005. Contact if you’re interested in improving your skills.

3.  Director’s Workshop. I plan to hold a workshop for all directors on Saturday, September 17, 2005, with Bill Rashleigh as the encourager. This would be open to all interested persons and location will be announced to the chapters soon.

So, that’s it for now. Remember, we survive on our ability to continue to discover  new direction. k