"I cannot thank you enough. While I certainly expected they would be wonderful, they were much MORE wonderful than I anticipated. There were moments when the music gave me chills. Again, profound thanks, they were wonderful!"
-Bev Beltrano, Director of Spiritual Support Services
Oakwood Health System, Dearborn, MI
"SOUL was great today! I heard lots of positive comments from teachers and students. I really enjoyed them. I hope we can continue to have them come in future years."
-Megan O'Shea, PTA Representative
Helen Keller Elementary (IB School), Royal Oak, MI
"The singers did very well with both the assembly and with the individual class work."
-Lisa Meyer, Music Resource Teacher Leader
Dearborn Public Schools, Dearborn, MI
"Everything went great! They're a terrific group of people!"
-G. Kevin Dewey, Music Professor
Henry Ford Community College, Dearborn, MI
"We had a beautiful day with S.O.U.L. Our students were completely captivated by them. The smaller group sessions were equally engaging and very personal. The music that they sang individually and together was well performed and unbelievably soulful. Your program is well named. Having toured quite a bit, I know that many decisions are made at the moment, based on audience response and your sense of a community's needs. Your singers could not have been more tuned in to the needs of our community that day. We were truly blessed! You have created a very worthwhile venture here. I look forward to a future S.O.U.L. performance!
-Bill Alford, Music Department Chair
The Pennington School- Pennington, NJ
"I want to extend our deepest gratitude for the gifts of music, wisdom, laughter and connection that were brought to our community by SOUL. Thanks again for your incredible vision of this possibility and then your commitment to make it happen."
-Rev Debra Faulk, Minister
Don Heights Unitarian Congregation- Toronto, ON
"It was my pleasure to host S.O.U.L.! Our school REALLY enjoyed having the group perform for us!"
-Julie Olson, Music Teacher
Nantucket Elementary- Crofton, MD
"They were TERRIFIC!!!!! They sang happy birthday in each of their languages to one of the students who had a birthday. Their sets for the older kids were well timed, with a good amount of listening and participation experience. My prinicipal and assistant principal came up for a while and were very impressed with the group. Thanks again for a great experience for our kids."
Maria Schwab- Music Teacher
Public School #84- Astoria, NY (NYC)
"The musical presentation was at a very high and professional level. It was a pleasure working with you and the singers. It was a pleasure to talk with them personaly after the performance.
John Students, Board Member
New Jersey Latvian Center, Freehold, NJ
"They were a real hit! There was a special connection begun here as the musicians shared such personal parts of themselves and their culture, that the audience didn’t want the sharing to end."
Marc Lambert- Assistant Director
Puffin Cultural Forum, Teaneck, NJ
"I enjoyed working with [S.O.U.L.]. [They] have really given me an absolutely marvelous experience I will remember the rest of my life."
Lila Hunt- Music Student
Southwest Virginia Schools, Richlands, VA
"We had a fantastic time. We truly appreciated the opportunity to meet such a nice group of talented musicians."
Chris Eng- Host Coordinator
UU Church of Athens and Sheshequin, PA
"We had a TERRIFIC day. The singers were engaging, the students impressed and the schedule kept everyone moving. I so enjoyed getting to know all four singers and the Tour Manager."
Donna Burkholder- Choir Teacher
Conestoga Valley MS, Lancaster, PA
"I received nothing but rave reviews. They are truly talented. I had a couple of ladies from the church come to the performance Thurs. night in the Union Ballroom and said that they enjoyed it so much they wanted to come back and hear them again! I received so many compliments on how much they enjoyed them and how much they appreciated me bringing them to campus. I can't think of any improvements - I love the way they each introduce themselves and get the audience involved in the discussion. ...We enjoyed having them and I hope they enjoyed their stay at Georgia Southern."
Angie Threatte- Center for International Studies
Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA
"I am yet to have a less than fantastic experience with your performing groups. One kid told me as he was leaving the assembly that it was the best assembly he'd ever been to. What I like most about your group is that it gives kids a connection with other parts of the world. It makes them realize that there are other countries around the world to explore and new and interesting people to meet. The kids are begging for them to come back next year."
Jenny Sanford, Music Teacher
Springport, MI
"We really enjoyed having the SOUL performers at the library! The caliber of the singing was fantastic, and I think we all learned a lot about the four cultures."
Stephanie Galipeau, Children's Librarian
Fort Walton Beach Public Library, FL
"S.O.U.L was fantastic! The congregation loved the music and the concept and purpose of your organization. Thank you for making it possible for us to experience them. I hope you will think of us again next year."
Rev. Abhi Janamanchi
Unitarian Universalists of Clearwater, FL
"Their visit was a huge success and many of us still have their music running in our heads. Opportunities such as this really help to prepare students to be respectful members in a global society."
Dr. Jennifer Fryns, Performing Arts Manager
College of Central Florida, Ocala, FL
"You are welcome in St. Augustine anytime and we UU's will be glad to host. Their concert helped us raise over $800 for tornado victims. Most importantly, they successfully projected their mission from the moment they arrived to the moment they left. They are an impressive group of young people."
Barbara Batelle, President
Unitarian Universalist Church, St. Augustine, FL
"We loved your group. They sang beautifully and were engaging with the students."
-Anna Speck, Vocal Music Teacher
Cranbrook Academy, Bloomfield Hills, MI
"The only complaint I heard was that is didn't last long enough! The performers were wonderful-- not only talented, but so interactive with the students. The loved them! I received glowing feedback from the teachers, as well! I hope we will be able to have you again next year!"
Kathy Cook, Chorus Director
Braden River High School, Bradenton, FL
"Everyone loved [the S.O.U.L. Singers]! I received so many compliments on how much they enjoyed them and how much they appreciated me bringing them to campus. I can't think of any improvements - I love the way they each introduce themselves and get the audience involved in the discussion. ...We enjoyed having them and I hope they enjoyed their stay at Georgia Southern."
Angie Threatte, Center for International Studies
Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA
"The program yesterday was wonderful! I would like to... thank you for your vision and the program you have developed."
-Carold Raedy, Music Teacher
St. Patrick's Elementary School, Charlotte, NC
"I found the presentation very charming--a lovely connection with high school students--
very down to earth and so not pretentious."
Dr. Sherry Lawrence, Fine and Performing Arts Curriculum Specialist
Manatee County Public Schools, FL
"We enjoyed it very much. Please contact us for next year."
Bryan Flynn, Principal
Rowlett Magnet Elementary, Bradenton, FL
"We all really enjoyed your program. We loved meeting the group and would welcome you back!"
Amy Wasser, Head of School
Hillel School of Tampa, FL
"Your group did a great job today."
-Jim Yarbrough, Vocal Music Teacher
Naperville North HS, Naperville, IL
"Just wanted to let you know that we really enjoyed S.O.U.L.'s visit yesterday. All went well from our point of view. I noticed that the singers interacted... with the little kids... I appreciated it. Our PTO would like to sponsor S.O.U.L. again next year."
-Paula Hudnutt, Music Teacher
Northwestern Elementar, Eaton Rapids, MI
"Dear Marcus Sylvia Ting and Melania, I am one of the students from Fayetteville-Manlius high school and I just wanted to thank you for coming to our school this week. I have so much respect for you guys! Not just for your talent as musicians, but your ability to appreciate other cultures and languages. Maybe you remember, I was the one who raised my hand and asked Ting about the Malay song. I speak Korean at home, but my dad's family is from the Indiana. I plan to study International Relations next year in college so I can someday help improve the situation in Korea. I wish there were more people like you. The world would be a better place, that's for sure. Good luck in all your endeavors."
-JoHee Park-Cunningham, Senior
Fayetville-Manlius HS, Manlius, NY
"We absolutely loved the program! We had about 35 people, young and old, in attendance and we received rave reviews from everyone that came. They were very animated and excellent at getting the audience involved. They all had lovely voices. I can provide only positive feedback for you and I’d venture to say we’d like to have another performance next year!"
Sheila Ortyl, Library Director
Mary Esther Public Library, Mary Esther, FL
"Thank you all again. My students keep stopping in and asking if they could hear you again. I just ordered the two CD's for my classes to hear. This is an experience that our students will have once in a life time. I do wish you all the best and hope to see the group next year for a week. One of my best 9th grade boys came to me and said "they were fabulous, I am going to stay in the program at the High School next year!" Stamos was sitting on the fence chorus/choir or other classes at NFA. You do make a difference. Take care and Bravo!"
-Herb Lamb, Music Teacher
Heritage JHS, Newburgh, NY
"I would really like to have a copy of the slow Indonesian Bummmmmm- Bummmmm-Bummmmm song and also the Bulgarian Chant with the 2 men singing the pedal tone and the women singing the chant... I was very pleased with our week with SOUL. Thanks for all you did to make it happen. I would appreciate feedback from you and the singers about what worked well and what didn't, so we can improve in the future. Thanks, Kris"
-Kris Rust, Music Teacher
Franklin Regional HS, Murraysville, PA
"Our school just had a group of unbelievable musicians here. Their group is called SOUL (Singers of United Lands) and it was SUCH a great experience for our children. They are highly talented teachers and singers and they work with the children to teach them music and language and a little of the culture from their countries. They stay with host families -- and we were lucky enough to have two of them at our house for a week. (South Africa and Montenegro). I cannot tell the difference between a guitar and a piano, but I can tell that these people are special and the kids were enthralled... They sing traditional folk music and other music in their own languages and sing it soooooo beautifully. It was the single best exposure to music I have ever experienced."
-Mary Douglass, S.O.U.L. Host Family
Excerpt from an email she sent to her friend- Clinton, MI
"S.O.U.L. was wonderful, it left us all with a deeper appreciation of the people and music of the world. Everyone asks will and when can you return, I hope next year. I have never seen our folks so excited about a musical presentation. Thanks so much."
-Father Dan Hesko, Priest
St. Catherine's Church, Middletown, NJ