Almost two-thirds of our membership still has not confirmed their participation with Claudia for next season. Please double-check the Rehearsal and Concert Calendar and email Claudia to confirm that you will be playing with us next season. We need to hear from you as soon as possible so we can determine openings and recruit new players. Please reply to Claudia no later than this Thursday, August 7.
Gravesite of Sergei & Natalie Rachmaninoff
I spent the afternoon today with Judy Mitchell, Public Relations Director at Kensico Cemetery. She gave me a tour of the grounds in anticipation of our November 9 concert, which is sponsored by Kensico. I was completely taken aback by the grace and beauty of the place. The various divisions of the cemetery all have their own atmosphere. She pointed out several of the graves of various notables interred at Kensico, who inspired the program I’ve selected for this concert: Sergei Rachmaninoff (Vocalise, arranged by Donald Hunsberger), Lou Gehrig (Pastime, by Jack Stamp), and Marguerite Cullman (O What a Beautiful Mornin’ and Some Enchanted Evening), and William B. Williams (The House I Live In), sung by our guest baritone soloist, Matthew Scott. The beautiful trees on the property will be reflected in City Trees by Michael Markowski. And the serenity and peace of the place will be represented by Sleep by Eric Whitacre and Gloriosa by Yasuhide Ito, the latter conducted by Dr. Peter Martin, our guest conductor. Memories of loved ones will be present in El Jardin de Esperanza by Timothy Broege, and Frank Gulino’s Skyline Drive will outline our “Circle of Life” performance initiative.
Our Winter and Spring concerts are just as exciting (we will get a jump on the Winter season during the Fall cycle), and the May concert will, of course, be the springboard to our trip to Chicago in June. We will have detailed information about itinerary and pricing when we regather on September 8 for our first rehearsal. We should also be able to deliver the 2014-2015 CD box sets at that time.
It’s going to be a great season, and I want you to be a part of it. Please reply to Claudia today, if you have not already done so, but no later than Thursday, August 7!