Hi to all!

Well, it was a great day for Chor Leoni on the 12th.  The second "working" day on tour and it was a blast!  We had an early start (too early for some of us who'd found the Complexe Sky the night before) and sang the Sunday Service at the Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul with Julian Wachter at the organ.  Thanks for the invite, Julian, and the lovely lunch afterwards.  Then we were off to Lachute QC.  From the unassuming exterior of the United Church of Lachute, one would never have anticipated the warmth which lay therein, both literally and figuratively.  Thanks to the organizing skills of Wayne Riddell, our host in that neck of the woods, we had a packed house (he estimated 500) and the love was palpable!  We had bravos from the opening number and the choir definitely rose to the occasion, giving one of our best concerts ever to an adoring crowd.  From the opening notes of the Ave Maris Stella to the bizarre hand gestures of our finale, Canada Tonight, (sans canes) we loved the music and the music loved us.  Despite the stifling heat, it was one of the best venues to sing in.  Afterwards we were whisked away to the absolutely fab-u-lous home of Mr. Riddell to be feted in high style with a terrific buffet and a dip in his pool.  It was sooooo refreshing.  We were loathe to leave.  We can't say enough good about the hospitality shown to us by Wayne and the community of Lachute.  What a perfect day!  Great music, great audience, great after-party!!!  The bar had been set frighteningly high for this tour and for Chor Leoni but I think we're up to our own challenge.  With love from la belle province...

Mark

(Hi Mom!!!!)