A word on the origins of the "Sing for Your Life" event
from Michael
D. Lampen (Archivist, Grace Cathedral):
"The "Sing for Your Life" event was created by Canon Lauren Artress of
Grace Cathedral and singer Bobby McFerrin and his Voicestra to celebrate the New Year at Grace Cathedral in an informal atmosphere, and to celebrate the first public
opening of the (original canvas version of the) labyrinth at the Cathedral. *
The event proved to be sufficiently popular for it to be continued annually until 1999, after which it moved to other
venues. The event was a 24-hour sustained chant from 6 pm December 30 to 6 pm December 31, with healing meditation
and relection also offered for participants. Bobby McFerrin was at the 1990 and 1992 events (and possibly several later ones).
In 1995 the dates were changed to December 31-January 1, from 1pm to 1 am."
