Our program of Bach, Beethoven and Brahms (with the addition of a Mozart piano Sonata) received a warm welcome on September 23! The gracious Rio Grande Theatre served as a perfect setting; one in which we hope to enjoy many performance opportunities in the future. And it was a pleasure to have many of you in attendance that evening!
We hope you’ll plan to join us at our two up-coming concerts. Both are scheduled as part of the “Every Other Tuesday at the Rio Grande” series.
On Tuesday, October 24, we will feature early music selections: a wonderful trio of chalumeaux (predecessor to the modern clarinet); Baroque songs by mezzo-soprano, Christine Sanders; and music performed on period instruments by our special guests, “Rio Baroque”. The following month’s program, on November 21, will include music of Schubert and Mozart. Each concert will begin at 5:30 and run somewhat under an hour. There is no charge for admission.
Over the last many weeks we have been working with the Doña Ana Arts Council to be recognized under the “umbrella” of services that they bring to our community, and as of Sept. 21 that partnership has been finalized. In addition to their valuable help and support, because of our affiliation with the Arts Council we are now officially entitled to receive tax-exempt gifts. We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to all the folks at DAAC, and to Executive Director Amy Johnson Bassford in particular, for helping us to get all the details in order which have brought us to this point.
Also in recent weeks, we have been focusing a great deal of attention on preparations for our holiday presentation of “The Christmas Gift” by James Sclater. It is a heartwarming story told with captivating music, which we feel certain will charm our entire community! Our cast is coming together nicely: confirmed thus far are Carrie Oliver, Bethania Baray, J.R. Spurlin, Steve Weston, Irene Brink, and Philip Christianson. Directing our production will be co-founder of Las Cruces Friends of Chamber Music, John Pleasant. The composer of the opera is a personal friend of John’s and we are most appreciative that he has made his material available to us free of copyright fees, etc. We are hopeful that Mr. Sclater and his wife will be able to join us for this regional premier of his work. Performances will be held at St. Andrew’s, at the corner of Alameda and Mountain Street. The exact dates and times of performances, along with cost for tickets will be available within the next few days. We anticipate sales to be brisk and that we will sell out well in advance of the performances. I’ll notify you as soon as tickets come out so you can be among the first to purchase yours!
It will soon be time to start “checkin’ our lists” and getting ready to mail out holiday cards along with making preparations for gift giving! May I suggest that you consider purchasing some of Sharon Gaskill’s unique greeting cards? Besides that fact that Sharon’s original designs are simply striking, she generously donates a percentage of the profits to benefit Las Cruces Friends of Chamber Music! She has even designed some cards specifically to support our organization! You can catch Sharon and her eye-catching cards at the Farmer’s Market on Saturdays (toward the north end of the downtown mall on October 21 & 28 and November 4 & 11). She will also have them on display at our performances on 10/24 and 11/21. If you’ve had a chance to see her things at our recent events and wish to place an order, please feel free to contact Sharon at spiritj05@netzero.net or 382-4474.
We are already looking toward 2007, and are most eager to see what the coming year will hold for our growing organization!! Some of the projects we will be concentrating on are an educational outreach, a major fund-raiser, and, of course, some wonderfully exciting concerts. We look forward to your enthusiasm and participation!
Well, that’s about it for this time. However, I thought you’d enjoy the priceless response a young boy gave to his Aunt when she inquired if he’d enjoyed our Bach, Beethoven and Brahms concert. Apparently he was quite taken with the music, and had even read the program notes. He reported to her, eyes wide with amazement, “You won’t believe it!!! One of the very best songs was even written by a deaf man!!”. How thrilled we are to be able to play a part in his introduction to the arts. And each of you plays a part, as well, by attending our concerts, supporting our organization and more. Thank you and good-bye until next time!
Musically Yours,
Barb Toth, Las Cruces Friends of Chamber Music