BEV FOSTER
Bev Foster, MA, BEd, BMus, ARCT, AMus
Bev Foster (b.1959) is an experienced educator and community musician. A teacher in both elementary and secondary panels in the Ontario school system and her private studio for many years, Bev has influenced thousands of young people in their love of and skillful pursuit of music. Bev has been Executive Director of the Ontario Vocal Festival, accompanied the Orpheus Choir of Toronto and has free-lanced as conductor, accompanist, clinician or solo performer in hundreds of community projects. As a church musician, Bev has directed music ministries in local, provincial, national and international settings and gave leadership to the David Festival, a Christian celebration of the arts. Bev enjoys writing and recording music, including four family albums, and two solo albums, Trustpoints and Deeply Loved. Currently Bev is a co-founder and Executive Director of the Room 217 Foundation, a health arts organization that improves the care experience using music www.room217.ca . Room 217 produces and delivers music care resources into complex care situations and provides education to formal and informal caregivers and musicians. Bev and her husband, Rob, live in Port Perry, ON. They have 4 adult children and 3 grandchildren.
May the Road
by Bev Foster
Two parts in any combination (S/A, T/B, ST/AB, etc) – with piano – KH 067 – duration 2:00
May the Road is a setting of a traditional Irish Blessing. I wrote it originally as a song for an album that is part of a palliative and end-of-life care collection. It is the second last song on Celtic Whisperings and was meant to bless the listener on their final journey. This 2-part setting, suitable for children, adult, mixed and intergenerational choirs, is a simple yet profound experience as a concert or worship gathering benediction.
Our Father
by Bev Foster
SATB with piano plus optional violin, flute or oboe – KH 083 – duration 4:15
The Lord’s Prayer is an ancient prayer given to us by Jesus himself. I wrote this song one morning before church. I don’t often “receive a song” or “hear a song” in its entirety, but this one I did. I scribed it as I heard it, a direct download. For me, this song is a fresh yet timeless take on an intimate exchange with the Father.
Stay With Us
by Bev Foster and Susan Brown
SAB with piano – KH 094 – duration 3:50
Lectio Divina is an ancient Benedictine practice where the words of Scripture are read several times in order to be enlivened. After the first reading, you pick out a phrase from the passage which is contemplated upon in subsequent readings. One Sunday morning at church, we were engaged in this practice around the Emmaus Road story in Luke 24:13-35. I considered the words “stay with us” referring to the disciples’ request of Jesus. My friend Susan chose the same phrase to reflect on. We got together and continued to hear what God was saying to us. Stay With Us is the result of our collaborative listening and expressing.
