If you know and listen some of these refugee students,  you would immediately understand the power of the song they sung for me: “Lord, I Lift Your Name On High.”

It has many meanings for them, they are grateful to here and to be alive. “I’m so glad you saved my life,” says the song, “I’m so glad you came to save us.”

I went to the Bishop Maginn High School today to hear the first new members of the Bishop Maginn High School Refugee Choir practice a bit and raise their voices. They expect to grow by about eight more members.

The students are tremendously excited about the choir, which came out of a discussion I had the last week with Mike Tolan, the principal, who is committed to restoring a music program to the school, and Sue Silverstein, a much-loved arts teacher.

I told Mike and Sue that the choir is something I believe would touch the hearts of the people I call the Army Of Good, as it has touched mine.

I loved the enthusiasm of these children, many of whom have endured horrific traumas in their lives, but who are eager to raise their voices in song. They signed Red up as Choir Dog, a new position for him.

The school battered by demographic and other challenges,  has suffered some hard times and is coming back, having a rebirth, and is a center and refugee for many refugee children, who have few resources and nowhere to go.

They are the right place for me, and I believe the Army Of Good, to do our work in a practical and meaningful way.

I am committed, along with the Army of Good, to bringing this choir to life, and supporting them. These beautiful children want to sing their song, and are grateful for their lives.

They know what it means to be saved.

I got an inspiring message tonight from Judi Merriam, a blog reader and a long-time choir director who has volunteered to help direct the choir at Bishop Maginn.  Judi is the real deal with a powerful choral resume. The school and the students are so lucky to have her.

Judi met with the students yesterday and she wrote “one of the young women asked if the choir will be doing any dancing, so my mind is already working on high-speed about different genres of music to do with the teens. I directed a show choir that included choreography for several years in our homeschool co-op, so I will surely add some music that we can dance to. Sue Silverstein is delightful, I very much look forward to working with her.”

This message lifted my heart, this choir is in great hands already.  I can’t wait to see and hear what they become. We will need to help them. They will need a keyboard, some instruments, T-shirts, and at least ten new music stands. We are also hoping to raise some funds for local traveling expenses, I expect this choir to be much in demand.

I have this fantasy – a vision – of seeing them perform on a big stage with a large crowd. I can see it.

If you wish to contribute to the Bishop Maginn Refugee Choir choir, you can  send a tax-deductible donation to Mike Tolan, Principal, Bishop Maginn High School, 75 Park Avenue, Albany, N.Y., 12202.

I thank you, so do these children. I hope to see them again next week, and there is now talk of them coming to visit Bedlam Farm. Maria and I would love that.