(Re-printed from the RETZ’S RETIREMENT VIDEO FaceBook page)
My dear Graduates of the Ridge High School Choral Program:
On June 1, 2020, I announced my retirement as Choral Director of Ridge High School after 40 years of service. As a surprise tribute, (a complete surprise!!!) the production team of Viraj, Niyati and Max coordinated well over 300 Ridge choral alum video clips to present to me on June 30th…my final day of employment.
One of many special graduation gifts, this was a 3.5-hour DVD filled with video clips and still photos and past recordings and memories and words of thanks, love and gratitude from members of our choral program. It was accompanied by the gorgeous double-sided quilt in the pictures – one side – student quotes; the other side – all my singers!
A. MA. ZING. I cried happy tears through every minute! It was truly THE PERFECT way to bring 40 years of music-making to a close! Thank you, a million bazillion, to the team of Max, Niyati and Viraj who masterfully put it all together – from the FaceBook page to everyone reaching out – far and wide. The memories came flooding back and it was so awesome and wonderful to see faces I hadn’t seen in a good long time. You all haven’t aged a bit!!! Thank you for the time it took to create and record and edit. For you, it might have been 20-30 seconds. To me, it meant the world!
I have since heard from some who missed the first go-around and I reached out to the production team and asked if they might offer the opportunity again. They said “Yes!” So, a folder entitled Coda (thanks Mark!) has now been created for those who might wish to record a quick message to add to a second video capture! So excited!
So, if you missed the first compilation, would you please find a moment to record a brief video, about 20 seconds in landscape orientation, and share a favorite memory with me of your time in the choral program? This doesn’t need to take more than one minute to create. Just make a short clip to say hello and share a thought. Or include your partner, children, pets! How I would love to see each of you on the big screen and reminisce about our treasured time together!
Once the Coda video is compiled, the link will be shared so that it can also be viewed – a Choral Reunion of sorts!
INSTRUCTIONS:
Please place your 20-second video, labeled with your name and graduation year, into the Google Drive link above OR, if that doesn’t work for you, please forward via text or email to Max by July 31st.
Max Rodriguez: Phone Number: 786 – 427 – 4669
Email: maxifufu@aol.com
(Max Rodriguez, Class of 2022)
The video clip will be accepted in any format that is easiest for you to share. And please spread the word! The CODA will be ready to share in early August!
Thanks to all of you for the part you played throughout the years in creating amazing music and memories in our choirs!
Sending so much love!
Stay healthy and safe!
RETZ…
PS – My plan is to use these contacts as a guest list for a proper celebration of all this next summer 2021. Covid-free! (fingers crossed!)