[From the Ontario District's newsletter, The Trillium, issue 61-01, January - March, 2007 , Waldo Redekop, editor.]

Thank you, Harmony College North

By Carol Appleton, Music Director, Upper Canada Chordsmen, Newmarket Chapter

I have the very good fortune to be the director of the Newmarket Chapter in Ontario District. Through the terrific opportunity afforded us by Ken Fisher and Harmony  College North, our chorus had the privilege of working with Al Fisk this past June.

We had a wonderful time and learned so much from Al and got along so well we all wanted him to coach us for our very FIRST retreat weekend.

WOWEE!

He is a coach, teacher, mentor and friend extraordinaire how wonderful to be able to share within our districts. Not only did he teach us but he motivated and inspired us to work harder to become better performers for our audiences and each other. You know how important that is to a chapter and its members and its audiences.

The guys, to a man, came to me at lunch and as we were leaving for home looking for a repeat retreat and when can we have Al next?

We are a strong family-oriented chapter and some of our wives and partners (they’ve named themselves the Extension Chords) came along for the weekend. Although they had planned some activities for themselves, they did take the opportunity to watch Al work with us and were clearly appreciative. They even did a parody for us on Saturday evening! And in costume!

We came home a stronger chapter on all levels because of the opportunity we found at HCN and I just had to thank you all.

Bless this “Brotherhood of Harmony and Friendship.”             k