Festival Favorite!
The latest in a string of favorites from the Oregon Children’s Choir Festival, Forever Without End Inspired the creation of our Festival Series Award. This award goes to songs that have been selected to be in major festivals and that have had exceptional reception and appeal to a wide range of singers and ages groups, as well as directors and listeners.
In fact, Forever Without End works great with:
- Elementary School Choirs
- Middle School Choirs
- High school Choirs
Its a perfect song to do with combined middle school and high school choirs for a getting feeder choir members excited about being in choir when then enter high school as it’s message, beautiful melody and emotional impact make it an instant favorite while being easy for a high school choir to learn in just a few rehearsals. Combined concerts with string ensembles are great too!
To see a list of other Festival Favorites, click here!
The Story Behind the Song
Forever Without End was written for Robina Jillson, a member of the Oregon Chidren’s Choir Girlchoir for the 1998-99 season. Tragically, Robina became ill and was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. Though her condition deteriorated and took its toll on her, her family and her friends, Robina was a constant source of surprises and strength for those fortunate enough to be touched by her life.
Robina lived her life to its fullest, showing great courage and determination in many ways, including expressing her love for children and music, as vividly shown by her attendance at many choir rehearsals long after she was unable to sing or walk. Robina will always be missed and be near to our hearts.
Forever Without End was performed only once before Robina’s death, in July of 1999, and then in the spring at the 2000 Oregon Children’s Choral Festival, in Eugene, OR. Some 1800 singers from all over Oregon attended the festival and performed in mass five works conducted by Kathleen Jacobi-Karna, as part of their day, accompanied by the South Eugene String Ensemble, directed by Richard Long. The message, heart and emotions evoked by Forever Without End made an instant connection with all the singers, directors, and audiences. It became their song, not just for Robina, but for the festivals 1800 children.
The lyrics of Forever Without End speak of being the kind of friend that we all wish to have. A friendship born of love, commitment, protection and a pledge of companionship. Lifted by Gene Skinner’s wonderful string arrangement, and the South Eugene String Ensemble, 1800 hearts were truly connected that day as we all came away with much more than we entered the festival with.
Robina, we remember you!
Forever Without End
By Bruce & Jennifer Searl
David Fitch, 6-8th grade choral, Shasta Middle School & Guest Clinician 2011 Festival –
Forever Without End was the smash hit of the Oregon Children’s Choral Festival 2000! As soon as the clinician told the choristers it was time to rehearse it, the whole hall came unglued! Cheering, clapping and such excitement like we’ve never seen for a song at any festival. All my choristers love Forever Without End and ask to sing it year after year!
Choir Director, Elementary and Middle school, OR –
What a wonderful song! Everyone in the audience must have been crying! Never have seen such an emotionally impacting song performed at one of our choral concerts! Thank you so much for this song! My singers love it and keep requesting it over and over again!
Bruce –
“Forever Without End was the smash hit of the 2000 Oregon Choral Festival!” When the clinician pull it out to rehearse it, 1800 kids went nuts!”
Director of attending choir, Oregon Children’s Choral Festival