Bishop Maginn has a remarkable new choir director, and we can help them in small but important ways.

I finally got to meet Judi Merrian, the veteran choir director who has volunteered to direct the new Bishop Maginn High School Choir. It was worth the way.

Judi, a graduate of the prestigious Crane School Of Music,  and the music director of several schools and church choirs and operas is going to direct the new school choir, now signing up members.

They have a new music room with music stands, and we just raised money for her to buy a new electric piano.

I had a great time sitting with Judi at the Bishop Maginn Open House Wednesday night in Albany, she was signing up singers for her choir, I was signing up students for my Writing Workshop.

Her honesty and warmth and skill talking to the sometimes shy and uncertain students was beautiful to see. Judi believes in giving back, and she sees the choir as something the school can give back to the community that is reaching out to support them, even if they are far away.

Several students balked at the idea that they could sing, and Judi drew them out, asked them questions, listened to them, and I saw their confidence and enthusiasm grow. Only a very experienced teacher can do that.

The choir will have a significant number of Karen refugee children, dancing and singing are an integral part of their culture, and now, an important part of the school.

When Aliyah came into the classroom to ask about the choice, she was shy and reluctant. She asked Judi if the students could offer suggestions for songs, and Judi said of course, and the two of them began to talk about the gospel music Aliyah likes to sing.

As I watched Judi listen to Aliyah, talk to her and inspire her – she signed up for the choir – I got very excited. She is charismatic and creative and experienced.

I’m excited. Bishop Maginn will have a great choir and Judi is working for free, so is her accompaniest. She is directing the choir out of the love of doing good and her love of music. She is grateful for the $1,000 electric piano that is on the way to the school.

How can we help? I’ll be talking to Judy about our buying some colored T-shirts – the only uniform, along with jeans, that the choir will have, and also helping with transportation costs as the choir sets out to spread the word about their School of Good and sing – and dance – some beautiful songs and music.

I also volunteered to buy some music if that becomes a problem. If and when I need help, I’ll ask.

This choir will be, in some ways I predict, the spirit of this school, and a symbol of the beauty and gifts of the refugee culture, and of the needy and the vulnerable. Doing good is a lot better than arguing about what good is.