Dear Renda,Thank you so much for joining us with your family at the GSCS 40th Gala. It was such a pleasure to share the event with you. I know the chorus was so excited to have you support us. I really appreciated that you came. Your centerpieces were amazing and we heard so many comments from attendees and chorus members. We LOVE what you did with your grandfather's music, and it truly contributed to the nostalgic feeling of this historic event. Kind regards,Diane
Dear Renda, I want to write to let you know how much we enjoyed your beautiful centerpieces at the GSCS 40th Gala. They were beautiful and unique and the focus of all of the decorations. Everyone we spoke to was amazed at the beauty and the detail of each piece. I am a retired history teacher from the City of Rochester and that is why I felt especially drawn to them. They truly highlighted the most memorable landmarks in Rochester. On top of that they were lighted! I will continue to look for your artwork in the future. Thank you for your support and effort on behalf of the GSCS 40th Gala. It was a very special evening and a “magical” event.We feel so lucky to have been a part of it. Sincerely, George and Marie Chobanian
My artwork has always stemmed from an emotional
connection. I was very happy to be approached by the Granite State Choral
Society with the proposal of creating several table sculptures for their 40th
Gala. My Pépère – Robert “Bob” Duchesneau- was a long standing member of the Granite State Choral
Society, so naturally I was excited to take on this project.
I have been an exhibiting artist for twenty years. I have
studied Studio Art, focusing in Sculpture in New York and Maine as well as
Graphic Design in Pennsylvania.
Recently, I contacted some of Pépère’s wonderful GSCS supporters, his daughters. I sat down
with my Mother, Marlene, my Aunt Sylvia and my Cousin, Emily to hear about some
beloved moments of Pépère during his proud Choral Society days. I always knew that
Pépère loved to sing, whether in the choir at church, with the
Choral Society or just sharing songs with his family, he loved to sing. I wanted
to hear some other memories that I might not have remembered or been a part of.
Aunt Sylvia spoke about how nice it was to see him sing
with such heart and always with strong emotion. My mother talked about how
proud he was when the Choral Society sang in the Veteran’s honor, that was one
of his favorites. Emily (being so young at the time) said that she thought our
beloved Pépère was famous! Everyone laughed, remembering the days when
he would bring home the tickets for that season’s performance, plenty for the
whole family.
After Pépère
passed, I inherited some of the sheet music that he used while singing with the
Choral Society. The most rewarding part of this process was creating these
sculptures with Pépère’s sheet music; giving a new life to the wonderful music
that he cherished so much.