Las Cruces Friends of Chamber Music
“Musically Speaking”, 08/22/08
Hello, Friends!
With the “lazy days of Summer” drawing to a close, I thought I’d fill you in on all the up-coming events we’ve got on the calendar. It’s going to be an exciting several months; I hope that you will plan to join us for as many of the events as possible. Here’s what you can look forward to, categorized by type of event:
Free concerts at the Rio-Grande
Aug. 26 - Featuring soprano, Irene Brink along with classical and pop selections by the Mesilla Valley Brass Quintet.
Oct. 28: “Haunted Tuesday”
Original compositions by Justin Raines, performed by Jim and Celeste Shearer with Martha Rowe.
Feb. 24: - Chamber Ensembles from Las Cruces High Schools
(All Every-Other-Tuesday concerts begin at 5:30 PM, no charge for admission)
Second Saturdays at the Art Museum
In conjunction with the exhibit “RODIN, In His Own Words”
Musical reflections on the life and time of Rodin.
September 13, October 11, and November 8 – 1:00 PM
(No charge other than regular admission to the exhibit)
Additional Concerts
Sat., Nov. 22; 7:30 PM: “La Catrina” String Quartet; NMSU Recital Hall
Local student musicians will join the internationally respected Quartet for a portion of the program! Tickets: $20 ($18 for students and seniors)
Sat., Dec. 12; 7:30 PM: “Canciones Navidenas/Songs of the Season”
Holiday Concert at San Albino’s, on the square in Old Mesilla
No charge for admission.
TBA - Spring Concert
Featuring the Vaughn Williams Quintet; a Sat. evening performance with an encore performance on Sunday afternoon. Branigan Cultural Center.
Tickets: $10 ($8 for students and seniors)
Educational Offerings
Nov. 17-21: “La Catrina” String Quartet in Residence:
Master Classes for LCPS and NMSU student musicians;
Presented in collaboration with the NMSU School of Music. (Through the generosity of community sponsors, students will attend at no charge.)
February, 2009: Master Classes for student ensembles from LCPS Schools
(Mentoring by professionally musicians available to students at no charge.)
Fundraising Events
Saturday, Nov. 1: “Black & White” Film Screening
Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009: Victorian Tea
I’m sure you’ll agree that it is an impressive array of events, and we are thrilled to bring them to Las Cruces! I look forward to welcoming you to a number of them!
Besides attending our concerts and other events, there are some other very important ways in which we’d be most grateful for your assistance. First and foremost, all of these events cost money, only a small percentage of which is raised through ticket sales. We are dependant upon the financial support of businesses and individuals who wish to see us continue to provide outstanding musical offerings. Annual memberships are available, with member benefits for various levels of giving. Details are on our website, or feel free to contact me for a brochure. In addition, we are seeking partners who will help make the music by co-sponsoring a specific event. Because of our affiliation with the Dona Ana Arts Council, a 501-c(3) not for profit organization, all gifts are tax deductible. All gifts will be acknowledged on our website as well as in printed programs. Gifts of $500 or more will receive prominent coverage in all of our promotional materials, as co-sponsors of the event of your choice: “La Catrina” String Quartet, Holiday Concert at San Albino’s, Master Classes for LCPS student ensembles, or our 2009 Spring Concert. I do hope you will come alongside our organization and play an active part in strengthening the role of music and the arts in our community!
Many employers match charitable giving; you can check with someone in Human Resources to see if yours is one of them. Further more, perhaps you are aware of individuals or businesses who might be interested in helping us to further our goals. I would be most happy to prepare a packet of material for you to share with them. In order to insure that we can meet our obligations in a timely manner, we would be most appreciative of gifts received by September 30, 2008. Please mail donations to: 1230 Osage Court; Las Cruces, 88005. All contributions will be acknowledged with a letter to serve as a receipt for tax purposes.
Another valuable way that you can invest in the on-going success of the Friends of Chamber Music is by serving as a volunteer. We are very much in need of helping hands, and I would urge you to consider how you might be able to share the load. Ushering, hospitality , envelope-stuffing, computer skills, posting announcements, grant writing, ticket sales, committee members, graphic design, idea people, speaking to potential donors, etc., etc., etc…….If you are willing and able to help in any way whatsoever, please contact me. Your participation will make such a difference!
Thirdly, will you help get the word out? If you would forward this E-mail to persons you think may not yet be aware of what we’re up to, it would be a tremendous help in widening the circle. Those who receive your “forward” can contact me and ask to receive further E-mails, if they wish, but no one will hear directly from me without a personal request.
Before closing, I’d like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Mrs. Abby Train for the fine work she did while serving the Friends of Chamber Music Board of Directors in the capacity of Director of Development. During the time she was on our Board, Abby brought great creativity and a high level of professionalism which were instrumental in helping us to move forward in a number of ways. Sadly, other commitments prompted her to resign from that position a few weeks back. While we will sorely miss her insight and experience, we wish to extend our very best wishes to her in each and every one of her current endeavors!
Just one more thought: in addition to (575)523-7714, you may now reach me on my cell phone @ (575)636-5489. Also, I will be away between Sept. 8 and 25. Should you need to speak with a member of our Board for any reason in my absence, please feel free to contact John Pleasant (575-571-1000) or Alexandra Aguirre (646-281-5210).
Until next time!
Musically yours,
Barbara Toth
(I’ve listed info below about some other musical events that may interest you.)
Faculty Recital, NMSU
Carl Fels (oboe) and Martha Rowe (piano)
Monday, August 25; 7:30 PM; NMSU Recital Hall
STEVE SMITH & HARD ROAD KRWG-FM BENEFIT CONCERT, AUGUST 23TH AT RIO GRANDE THEATRE
KRWG 90.7 FM will sponsor a Steve Smith & Hard Road concert with guest artist Wayne Shrubsall to benefit the station on Saturday, August 23rd, 7:30 pm at the Rio Grande Theatre on the Las Cruces Downtown Mall. Tickets are available at the KRWG FM offices (room 121 in Milton Hall on the NMSU campus), by calling 505-646-2222 or website krwgfm.org and at Enchanted Gardens on Avenida de Mesilla (adult: $15 in advance, $20 at the door, 12 & under $7.50 in advance and $10 at the door). Steve promises some of the hits from Hard Road’s new CD “Only So Fast” released this past April. Band CD’s will be on sale during concert intermission.
CHAMBER MUSIC ALBUQUERQUE PRESENTS
THE 2008-2009 SEASON
(Albuquerque, NM – August 1, 2008)— Chamber Music Albuquerque presents the 68th consecutive season of world-renowned chamber music artists in concert at the Simms Center for the Arts at Albuquerque Academy. The season is divided into four separate series:
1) The Classics featuring the Alexander String Quartet on Sunday, September 21, 2008 at 3:00 PM; Trio con Brio Copenhagen on Sunday, February 15, 2009 at 3:00 PM; the Enso String Quartet on Sunday, March 15, 2009 at 3:00 PM and Pianist, Joel Fan on Sunday, April 26, 2009 at 3:00 PM;
2) Chamber Music X featuring Red Priest on Sunday, October 19, 2008 at 3 PM;
3) Americana featuring Music from Copland House on Sunday, November 9, 2008 at 3:00 PM (this concert is in collaboration with the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra) and the Santa Fe Guitar Quartet from Santa Fe, Argentina with guest artist the Albuquerque-based oud player and composer, Rahim AlHaj on Sunday, January 18, 2009 at 3 PM;
4) The June Music Festival featuring the Takács String Quartet on Friday, June 12, at 7:30 PM & Sunday June 14, 2009 at 4:00 PM; The Lark Chamber Artists on Thursday, June 18, 2009 at 7:30 PM; and the Calder String Quartet on Friday, June 19 at 7:30 PM & Sunday, June 21, 2009 at 4:00 PM.
There are a variety of ticketing plans available for each series, individual concerts and the entire season. For more detailed information on all the ensembles and ticket prices go to www.cma-abq.org or call Chamber Music Albuquerque at (505) 268-1990 from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday thru Friday.
