February 12, 2002
A Birrellogram

During the last couple of years our family was fortunate enough to meet a well known Canadian composer, none other than Srul Irving Glick. He came to my Peterborough Singers to talk about and conduct some of his music, and none of us will ever forget the the power and passion of that time. Srul is the survivor of an unexplained assassination attempt, and his music speaks volumes about forgiveness and reconciliation in a world of evil. James and Srul struck up quite a friendship, for they shared something in common - they were both fighting cancer. James and I would sometimes be able to stop by Srul's home on the way back from Sick Kids, if the schedule was not too frantic.

So for our Toronto and area friends, I thought you might want to know of an event this Sunday afternoon. Srul Irving Glick has arranged a benefit concert for the James Fund, involving the choirs of his Synagogue and Blessed Trinity Church. Included will be Glick's marvelous piece "The Hour Has Come". I've attached details of the concert and the program below. Pam, Rebecca, Ben and I will be attending and would love to say hello to any of our friends at the reception afterwards who might want to come to the concert. We are very honoured that Srul has set up this concert. By the way, the Birrell's are all fine, and enjoying life despite the heart wrenching absence of James. I guess I am sleeping too well these days, and have neglected to send updates. I will remedy that soon, for there is much news on many fronts, not least of which is the James Fund, which is going great guns.
Syd

The details of the concert are as follows:

Directions - Blessed Trinity is on the west side of Bayview Ave just north of Finch Ave, between Finch and Steeles. There is a church on the corner of Bayview and Finch and we are beside it. If coming by 401 the easiest way is to exit Bayview Ave north, past Sheppard Ave, past Finch Ave, Blessed Trinity is the second church on the left (about 5-10 minutes driving time from the 401).

Joining the joint choirs of Blessed Trinity and Beth Tikvah will be Erica Goodman, harp, The Festival String Quartet, Michael Schuck, organ, and Cantor Benjamin Z. Maissner. The concert repertoire has a good mix of music.

The following will be done by the joint choirs,

The Heavens Are Telling - Haydn
He, Watching Over Israel - Mendelssohn
How Lovely Is Thy Dwelling Place - Brahms
Psalm Elegy - Glick
Ma Tovu - Glick
The Hour Has Come - Glick

The Blessed Trinity choir will do the following pieces on their own,

At The River - adapted by A. Copland
For The Beauty of the Earth - Rutter
All Things Bright and Beautiful - Rutter

Solo pieces will also be performed by the Beth Tikvah choir

There will be a reception after the concert in the parish hall.