Up until a few weeks ago, YouthCUE’s logo had been the same since our pilot project was launched from Shreveport, Louisiana, in November, 1989 (was that really 24 years ago?). The cursive “youth” followed by a more stable “CUE” (all caps) with no space between became our trademark throughout the ’90s, through the turn of a new millennium, and now well into the 2010s.
As much as the organization has morphed, adjusted, and reinvented itself over the past twenty-four years, it is remarkable that the old “signage” has stuck with us all this time.
The original logo’s artist, Holly Mears (one of the most creative people I’ve ever known), obviously did a superb job of capturing the spirit, dream, and vision of the ministry of YouthCUE, not only for that moment, but for more than twenty years hence. Great job, Holly!
It would be interesting to know how many people around the world have seen the logo across these four decades. An even more fascinating question would be how many actually know what YouthCUE is and what we do.
We hope the original logo has come to symbolize excellence in youth choir ministry across North America and beyond. Apparently it has, because as we approach our Twenty-Fifth Anniversary in 2015, our staff of now seven is busier than ever providing for all those who want to participate in our programs and other resources.
The demand for YouthCUE has developed to the point that we now realize, somewhere amidst the hard work along the way, we have entered a whole new chapter of development. This quantum progression involves many components, including the deliberate passing of the torch from one generation to another. YouthCUE itself has emerged through its own stages: prenatal, infancy, “toddler-hood,” childhood, preadolescence, and adolescence. At 24, the organization is now “a true young adult.” Along with that new identity, we felt a new “sign” would be helpful.
You’ll notice the new logo has retained the same basic design of its predecessor, but with a few new shapes, shades, lines, and nuances. The byline remains solidly the same: radically impacting the lives of youth, because this is still our firm vision as we hold high the standard of quality choral music.
We hope you like the new logo, and we also hope you will see in it what we on staff at CUE see: a resurgence of energy, an expanded commitment to excellence, a powerful vision for the future, versatile strength for today, and bright hope for tomorrow.
Thank you for being a part of the YouthCUE dream!
Your colleague and friend,
Randy
