Las Cruces Friends of Chamber Music
“Musically Speaking”, 10/26/07
Hello, Friends!
It’s been a pleasure to greet so many of you in person recently! Truly, one of our organization’s most valuable resources is the wonderful people who attach importance to the music we share! Without you, all of our hopes and dreams for the Friends of Chamber Music would be nothing more than wishful thinking!
The “Una Gala para Gala” concert was a rousing success! The music was fabulous, and employed the gifts of a number of excellent musicians from Las Cruces and El Paso. Many were performing for our organization for the very first time. It is extremely gratifying that so many wish to share their talent with our audiences! Built around the 13-member chamber orchestra which performed Aaron Copland’s “Appalachian Spring”, this was our most sizable undertaking to date. We look forward to welcoming these fine artists again (and again!) in the future! [By the way, as of that date, the total number of musicians who have performed with and for Las Cruces Friends of Chamber Music exceeds 50; all within just 1˝ year!]
The Saturday afternoon presentation on September 29 was well-attended and greatly enjoyed by those who were present. Beginning with a chat related to 20th century musical developments, the afternoon also included performances of avant-garde music in the gallery of the Art Museum. Rhonda Taylor(saxophone) and Fred Bugbee (percussion), both NMSU faculty, performed to a wonderfully enthusiastic audience. It was the perfect setting in which to experience music which one does not often get a chance to hear! We are delighted to have had the opportunity to work with Museum personnel, Lisa Pugh and Joy Miller, in including these events as part of the special offerings to compliment the exhibit of Salvador Dali’s works! Similar presentations are scheduled for Oct. 27 (that’s TOMORROW!) and November 24: each afternoon there will be a brief discussion in the Branigan Cultural Center at 1:15, followed by music in the Art Museum gallery at 2 PM. Other than the admission fee to the exhibit, there is no charge to attend the musical event.
Las Cruces Friends of Chamber Music is always grateful for opportunities to network with others in our community. The interaction and mutual support benefits all involved, and helps to strengthen the impact for the arts in our community. In past weeks we have enjoyed the opportunity to provide music in support of the First Step foundation’s golf tournament “Tee Party” as well as the Salvation Army’s “Dress a Child” 7-course fundraising dinner. Additionally, last week we helped answer phones during KRWG-FM’s fundraising campaign. We are grateful to be able to lend our support to these kind of community outreaches!
Following a recent correspondence, many of you responded affirmatively to my request for assistance with such things as ushering and greeting at concerts, stuffing envelopes, making phone calls, helping with fundraising events, etc. We are so very thankful for any such help, and wish to make the very best use of the time and energy of those who can lend a hand. Volunteer Coordinator, Bonnie McGrew, and I are in the process of compiling a list of persons who can be called upon, what kind of things each would be comfortable doing, and other pertinent information. Do let me know if we can count on your participation, and I will send a return E-mail listing the information it would be helpful for us to have from you. Let me emphasize that any amount of assistance, great or small, will be deeply appreciated. Thanks in advance for your willingness to come alongside and helping to multiply the influence of our efforts!
The next exciting event on our musical calendar is coming up in just 3˝ weeks! “La Catrina” String Quartet will bring a stunning performance, based on the repertoire of Mexican composers, to San Albino Catholic Church on the square in old Mesilla on Tuesday evening, November 20. Tickets are available at the Cultural Center in Mesilla, 2231-A Calle de Parian, a block and a half west of the Plaza (next to the Mesilla Post Office). 523-3988. Friday and Saturday, 10-5; Sunday, 11-5. You may also purchase tickets at White’s Music Box, on the downtown mall. In order to make this event as accessible as possible, we will be presenting this fabulous concert for just $5.00 per person! However, in order to make this happen, we are counting on the generosity of individuals and businesses who will help underwrite expenses related to the Quartet’s visit. Padrinos y Madrinas de La Catrina, through their financial and “in-kind” gifts, will play a key role in making it happen! Please contact me right away if you are able to be part of supporting this terrific event! Your gift of any size will make a big difference!
Also on the calendar - watch for details on our website:
December 15, 7 PM, Good Samaritan Auditorium. “Canciones Navideńas/Songs of the Season”. No charge for admission.
* Please note: The concert featuring the Vaughn Williams Quintet, previously planned for Nov. 30, is being rescheduled for sometime in January. The exact date will appear on our website as soon as it becomes available.
Joseph Sylvan, co-founder of the Friends of Chamber Music, recently resigned from his position on the Executive Board. We are most grateful for the role he played in establishing our organization, and wish him all the best in his future endeavors. We are delighted to welcome Abby Train onto the Board in the capacity of Director of Development. Abby is a wife, mother and gifted businesswoman whose commitment to the Friends of Chamber Music goes back to our group’s very beginnings. John Pleasant and I are thrilled that she has agreed to bring her gifts, experience and enthusiasm to invest in our organization’s future! I know that you, too, will find her to be a tremendous asset to our organization and to the cultural community at large here in Las Cruces.
Well, that seems to be it for this time. Happy Autumn to you all!
Musically yours,
Barbara Toth
Musically yours,
Barbara Toth
