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Writer's picturealisabair

"That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God." (Eccl. 3:13)

The scripture in the blog title comes right after the well known, "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens." And Saturday afternoon was a time for celebration—for finding satisfaction in the toil of bringing the Audience of One Original Cast Album to fruition. We listened to the entire album together in the sanctuary at St. Paul's UMC in Elizabethtown and toasted the project with cake and sparkling cider.

Front row: Kristine Woolverton, Jen Felty, Raquel Richardson, Reagan Connell, Elizabeth Richey, Beth Lavender, Alice Tomasetti, Randy Zwally. Back row: Alisa Bair, Neal Harnly, Carole Adkins, Eric Muench, Ian Riethmiller, Brock Sunday, Rob Bair, Tim Bistline. (Unable to be present: Amara Russell, Brooklyn Hilton, Elena Patton, Ethan Goss, Johanna Baker, Lindy Harris, Lydia Sensenig, Mackenzie Paige, Mckenna Donaldson, Nate Garland, Nick Ammon, Reji Woods, Rich Winey, Rila Hackett, Hurley Addair)


It took the better part of July to bring everybody into the studio and—I won't lie—the better part of May and June to coordinate 32 people's schedules. We recorded piecemeal—first the rhythm section, then the guide singers, then the cello, then the Sopranos, Altos, Tenors and Basses all at different times, followed by the soloists. After that it was a matter of waiting till engineer Mike finished doing a rough mix, then my going into the studio for a full day to make sure dialogue got inserted in the proper spaces, and levels and dramatic intention were right. Then Jen Felty and I listened to the final mixes over and over on multiple devices before sending copious corrections and adjustments back to Mike. Once we approved the mixes, the album was sent to the production company where it was mastered, and production began.


The result of all this toil? Honestly? A miracle. And all made possible because of lovingly generous donors who believe in this project. One of the singers wrote an Italian term on her Instagram post about this experience—Grazie mille, "a thousand thanks." And I can't stop letting the words roll off my tongue. We have miles to go in terms of final revisions, more fundraising, and production plans. But for now, for this lovely moment in time, Grazie mille, Grazie mille, Grazie mille, Grazie mille... to God, to all the musicians who made this happen, and to all of you.


Please enjoy a sample of the music as we share some of the photos from our celebration, and be sure to pick up your own CD here! (A link to digital streaming services is also accessible by clicking on the CD on the product page.)


Grazie mille!

—ab




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