DATE:
Saturday, October 23
TIMES:
6PM: Bike ride from MVM to Laurelhurst Park
6:30PM: Community sing-along of “Let it Be” at Laurelhurst Park
LOCATIONS:
LAURELHURST PARK (Portland)
MY VOICE MUSIC (3520 SE Yamhill)
Or…Anywhere you want to be with people you care about
SUPPORT:
Our beloved Founder/ Executive Director Ian T. Mouser was killed while pursuing his dream of cycling across the United States. Four days into the ride, on the morning of October 14, a pickup truck collided with his bicycle on U.S. 70 just outside Safford, Arizona. A deeply compassionate and creative person, Ian dedicated his life to using music to heal — touching the lives of over 14,000 young people through My Voice Music. Words cannot do justice to this incredible person whose kindness, strength, and vision will continue to be a bright light for so many of us.
Let’s honor Ian by showing his wife and MVM Development Director Karen and son, Jude (age 6), our support, however small, and take a moment to remember Ian. Ian would want us to sing the Beatles’ “Let It Be”, the song that guided his journey with My Voice Music and that he closed most MVM events and classes with.
Friends of Ian invite the community to join in a city-wide singing of “Let It Be” in his honor on the day he was hoping to complete the ride, Saturday, 10/23. An optional bike ride from My Voice Music (3520 SE Yamhill) to Laurelhurst Park will begin at 6:00PM, where friends of Ian and supporters of his work are invited to share their voice during a candlelight vigil with a communal singing of “Let It Be” beginning at 6:30PM. We will meet at the North central side of the park where Ankeny and Laurelhurst Place meet, near the NW side of the lake.
Please join in whatever capacity makes sense for you, whether that’s biking along with friends, singing in the park, or singing privately with, or for, people that you care about. Lyrics and a video of “Let It Be” are at the bottom of this page.
There will be an altar set up in Laurelhurst Park for Ian. Altars are an ancient practice used to honor, guide, and protect the dead on their journey to the land of the ancestors. If called, please bring something to add. Some examples include a small memento, picture, gem stone, flowers, relics, etc. After the event, we will move the altar to the MVM space. Therefore, bring an altar item you feel comfortable leaving.
The family asks that the media does not broadcast live on site and for their privacy during the vigil. The bike ride will be led by Ian’s cycling community and is not organized by My Voice Music. If you are participating in the bike ride please stay safe; Wear a helmet, bring lights and reflective clothing,. etc...
If you are inclined to share a video or photo singing along — or memory of Ian or reflection about his work — use the hashtags #LetItBeMVM #IanMouser and tag @myvoicemusic. This event is on Facebook, here.
This event will go on rain or shine, as Ian would have.
We love and miss you, Ian. Let it be.
For press inquiries please email trent@myvoicemusic.org or call 503-442-1663. Donations to MVM in Ian’s honor can be made here.
LYRICS
Ian could never keep these lyrics straight so feel free to sing whatever words you want!
When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom let it be
And in my hour of darkness, she is standing right in front of me
Speaking words of wisdom let it be
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom let it be
And when the broken hearted people living in the world agree
There will be an answer let it be
For though they may be parted, there is still a chance that they will see
There will be an answer let it be
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
There will be an answer, let it be
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom let it be
And when the night is cloudy, there is still a light that shines on me
Shine until tomorrow, let it be
I wake up to the sound of music, Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom let it be
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
There will be an answer, let it be
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
There will be an answer, let it be