Dear WES,

For eight years, we have sung together, laughed together, grieved together, held each other in community. And now, we will each be moving forward in our journeys.

I remember so many things about our time: seeing the banners drop at my first Winter Fest; finding or being shown new songs and introducing them to you (Song of Solstice, Thula Klizeo, We Tell Stories, and Bird by Bird, just to name a few); watching your children be named or graduate; welcoming new members and bidding others farewell. 

We can hold onto these memories as we learn what it is like to move in different directions. In order to support your growth and mine, I will take time to focus on my family and on other professional development and refrain from communicating with you for at least the next 18 months. Taking that time will allow you to connect with a new permanent music director and acknowledges the importance of the connection we have had. Of course, if we see each other around town, please do say hello. I will be glad to see you.

In the meantime, we should feel proud of what we’ve done together. We’ve built upon WES’ love of music, which was well established long before I came, and grown our “songbook.” What was already a deeply committed group of choristers and a few guest artists is now a full-fledged music program, including WES Chorus and Youth Voices, the WES Band, talented members who offer music in platform, and an array of professional guest musicians who feel connected to WES, its mission, and you, its congregants. Every time you hear a WES child sing a monthly theme song, or a friend tell you they heard something we’ve sung in platform on the radio or in the grocery store, know that you are building the fabric of Ethical Culture. And this fabric is strong. You can wrap yourselves in it, invite others in to share it with you, and weave more each day.

Eight years have flown by and I treasure all that you’ve taught me. As we sang earlier this month, “I know this rose will open…” May all the dreams you hold for yourselves, for WES, and for the world unfold into glorious bloom. 

With deepest gratitude for allowing me to serve you,

Bailey