[HANASHIR:2486] Welcome

[Troy M. Miller <TMM...>]

Hello:

Adrian introduced me to you earlier today and I, Troy Miller, am pleased to
be a member of your list.

First, as mentioned, Debbie Friedman will be participating in our Ivanhoe
Benefit Concert on May 16 at the World Headquarters of the RLDS Church,
along with the Queen of Gospel, Albertina Walker, and a host of  choirs.
What is unique about this experience is that it is the first time that
these three denominations have come together, across unique cultural
boundaries, to work together for a common cause. We expect to have 600-700
choir members on stage singing with the stars, as well as singing music
representative of their own traditions. The event is being named after
Debbie's new song, Build This World Together, which is being "Gospelized
further" by Dr. Michael Charles of St. James United Methodist Church for
this quantity of gospel singers. The event is being recorded with the hope
of international broadcast at a later date.

A brief note on Adrian's request of how Debbie became involved. I was
attending a renewal service Debbie was leading approximately a year ago,
and mentioned to her the project I was working on which exchanged singers
between our Temple's choir and a African-American Gospel choir. She told me
that she had written Build This World Together, which would be perfect for
a Gospel Choir. One thing led to another and here she is, helping our
cause. (A short aside: Some of you might have read an article in the KC
Star entitled "Shout Hallelujah" wherein they mentioned that Debbie had
been holding this song, essentially waiting for a Gospel Choir for five
years - Well, I have learned a lesson in that reporters take things out of
context and piece them together, for this I never mentioned that statement
to the reporter!)

Concerning the unique exchange program, you may read about it at:

http://www.kcstar.com/sbin/iarecord?NS-doc-path=/vol1/pubs/archive-98/9803/9
80321/980321.028&NS-collection=archive-98&NS-search-set=/var/tmp/36f16/aaaa0
01FBf16131&NS-doc-offset=1&

If you have questions about my experiences, I will be happy to answer them.

L'shalom

Troy