Kind Jubilee Friends,

I'm very excited to welcome you all back for another year of singing together as part of the ongoing creation of the Beloved Community!

Several people have expressed legitimate concern about whether we will be able to maintain our community feeling with our move to Ithaca College.

The Greeks have a philosophical question about whether a boat that, over time, has its parts gradually replaced is still the same ship. DCJS is like that boat. We have people who sing with us for a time and then move on. Other singers fill in the choir. We change parts of our repertoire from year to year. We change Board members. Despite the constancy of change, we hold on to two ideals that keep our boat on course: our love for the music and our love for each other.

The rough seas of the pandemic tossed our ship about. Still, we clung tightly to our ship and remained faithful. Our captain changed course and steered our path through virtual concerts and then, as vaccines became available, through in-person rehearsals while wearing masks.

And now as we sail out of a different home port, we worry that rough weather may lie ahead. If you see the DCJS is taking on water, come talk to me. Together, we will figure out a way to repair the damage and continue our voyage. The transition may be difficult. But we have held fast through difficult times and with tenacity born of love, we will again.

Joanna Upton recommended to me an article on the health benefits of singing in a group. I pass it on to you.

Online Registration Opens tomorrow (Monday). Here is the link to the DCJS Homepage for Online Registration. Thanks to Delvin Collier, our website manager, the process is pretty straight forward.

In Peace, Love and Anticipation,

Louis Hicks

DCJS Board President

607-592-9860