Highland Park, MI, High School Concert Choirs, 1954-1969




CBC Radio-Announcement 1, 4/30/08

From: Harris/Larkins
Date: April 30, 2008 11:51:45 PM GMT-04:00
To: HPHSChoir1957, HPHSChoir1958, HPHSChoir1959, HPHSChoir1960, HPHSChoir1961, HPHSChoir1963,
HPHSChoir1964, HPHSChoir1965, HPHSChoir1966, HPHSChoir1967, HPHSChoir1968, HPHSChoir1969, HPHSChoirFriends
Subject: To HPHS Choirmates and Friends: Major Announcement

Dear Choirmates, classmates, family, and friends:

I believe that this is a major announcement so you might want to grab a chair now, regardless of your age.

However, before I make my announcement I want to say that as I write, I am listening to a broadcast of Canada's national choir competition, broadcasted by CBC radio (Canadian Broadcasting Company, Canada's national radio station). Hundreds of amateur choirs of various categories and ages from all across Canada have been competing, and tonight is the finals. The performances I have heard tonight have been incredible followed by intelligent analysis from learned choral experts. At this very moment a "Chamber Choir" from Halifax is performing "Exultate Deo" by G.P. da Palestrina, one of the songs performed by HPHS concert choir in 1966. I must say that they are exceptional, but I believe we would have held our own against them. (Oh, how I wish that we could have had a national choral competition in the USA and national support such as this.) My hat goes off to Canada!

I am fortunate to be in range of the CBC broadcasts, and three weeks ago they announced that they would dedicate a full day's programming to music education and music educators on Monday May 5th (www.cbc.ca/herestoyou). They have asked their listeners to send them related personal stories about music education and music educators who have inspired them as well as suggestions for music. Well, I couldn't pass this up. I sent CBC a long letter and our first 3 CDs, probably enough material for at least an hour of their broadcast. I am still not sure exactly what they will do with what I sent them, but from my correspondence, it appears that we may soon have an international audience (keep everything crossed). When I hear more I will send out another announcement.

But woe is me! I am heading up north tomorrow morning to open up our cottage, and I can't get out of it. And CBC radio is out range there! Help!

Below, you can follow my correspondence with the producer of CBC radio's "Here's To You". More soon.

Love, Clifford Larkins '67

_____________________________________________________________

4/24/2008 12:23 PM
timestamp: 2008-04-24 12:23:18 EDT
story: Dear "Here's To You" staff:

Last week I sent you some information for your education monday program on May 5th. Could you please inform me when you receive this material and if you can use it on your show.

If you do intend to use any of it, would you please let me know so that I can announce it to my choirmates. It would create a great deal of excitement.

Sincerely, Clifford Larkins, Ph.D. email: aharris1@emich.edu
request: None at this time
name: Clifford Larkins
city: Ypsilanti, MI. USA

_____________________________________________________________

From: herestoyou@CBC.CA
Subject: Re: Here's To You: Requests
Date: April 24, 2008 3:18:52 PM GMT-04:00
To: aharris1@emich.edu

Dear Clifford,

Thanks for your note. Did you send the information by post or was it an e-mail? I don't see a previous e-mail from you, which is why I'm asking.

Regards,

Alison Howard
Producer, "Here's to You"
CBC Radio Music
Toronto

_____________________________________________________________

From: aharris1@emich.edu
Subject: Re: Here's To You: Requests
Date: April 24, 2008 5:50:14 PM GMT-04:00
To: herestoyou@CBC.CA

Dear Alison,

Thank you for your reply. On Saturday 19 April, 2008 I sent you some material for your Music Education Day program via post. When I heard about your program, I wasn't sure exactly what you were looking for or how much material you could use, but I did know that my choir project would fit very nicely with what you are doing. I sent you a long letter and a 3-CD "box set" I recently produced of performances by my high school's concert choirs 1954-1969. (It has recently been expanded to a 4-CD "box set"). I also enclosed a possible play list. I hope you will receive the material by tomorrow.

I am attaching to this e-mail the letter I sent to you so that you will have a clear understanding of what I sent you. Once again, if you do intend to use any of it, would you please let me know so that I can announce it to my choir mates, 1954-1969 as well as our 87 year old choir director. It would create a great deal of excitement.

_____________________________________________________________

From: herestoyou@CBC.CA
Subject: Re: To: Here's To You: From Clifford Larkins
Date: April 30, 2008 2:01:29 PM GMT-04:00
To: aharris1@emich.edu

Dear Clifford,

It arrived in my mailbox this morning. Thank you! I'll send you a notification when I have programmed your request.

Regards,

Alison Howard
Producer, "Here's to You"
CBC Radio Music
Toronto