On October 11, 2003, at the Rogue Valley Manor's Skyline Plaza, a dinner, program and party was held to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Rogue Valley Chorale. It was a very festive event with pictures and posters on display that recalled some of the events in our history including major concerts, European tours and Carnegie Hall. There was even a picture of Lynn Sjolund as a very young man!
 
The program began with Lynn directing everyone in the singing of a festive German round that was performed on this summer's trip to Germany, Belgium and The Netherlands. Then the history of the beginnings of the Chorale was presented by the women whose idea it was to have such a singing group, the Founding Mothers--Karen Foster, Leslie Hall, Kathy Gordon, Judy Cushing and Mary Kay Harmon. Special honors were given to Mary Kay because she was the first person to say that there was a need for a community chorus that could perform great choral music.
 
Gary Lovre presented a spoof on "The History of Singing" that led to the "Fat Ankle Fandango". (Lynn is famous for coining phrases that are intended to help the chorus produce the sound he wants. Years ago in his attempt to get the altos to produce a big, dark sound he told them to think "Fat Ankles".) So several altos wearing huge legwarmers did a crazy dance to Spanish music.
 
There followed a parade of the various dresses worn by the Chorale women over the years. To a poem written by Leslie Hall women paraded by showing the progression from skirt and blouse to blue dress to green dress to pink dress and finally to the present black and white dress. All were escorted by the always dapper Dr. Dick Swanson.
 
The Chorale has produced a cookbook as a fundraiser, and it was seen for the first time at the party. The cookbook is named after a 1930s song by Rodgers and Hart called "Sing For Your Supper". A rousing performance was given by Gina McDonald, Carol Snider, and Anna Thompson accompanied by Andrea Brock.
 
Then, in tribute to those who stayed home on Monday nights while their spouses went off to Chorale practice, a "rap" was performed called "The Monday Night Blues". Gary Newland, Stuart Foster, Dick Gordon and Bill Fike dressed in aprons and carried brooms that they banged on the floor as they lamented cleaning pots and pans, changing the baby, etc. They brought down the house!!
 
Everyone sang "Thanks For the Memory" with words that brought to mind many of the amazing accomplishments of the Chorale.
 
A Mayor's Proclamation from Medford Mayor Lindsey Berryman was read and presented to Lynn. It began with "Whereas the Rogue Valley Chorale has demonstrated superior standards of the choral art throughout its history…" and ended with "Whereas for thirty years "We Have Had Singing" the mayor declared a city celebration of the Chorale. ("We Have Had Singing" is a moving choral piece about the joy and wonder of fine choral singing that Lynn especially loves. AND it was sung by the group at Carnegie Hall!)
 
A gift of a travel voucher was presented to Lynn from his many friends. And Lynn offered moving and gracious words of remembrance and thanks. It was an evening to remember and cherish.