09/16/2022 – First Friday Missive of our 16th season!

As I sit outside on this beautiful night working on Mendelssohn  and Bernstein and thinking about the colors of the rainbow, I get doubly excited about our fall semester. Our first rehearsal on Tuesday was fabulous and I was so pleased with all of our new singers. You jumped right in and sang like you had been a part of us for years. I hope you made some new friends and look forward to introducing everyone next week.

 Before saying much more, I want to send our heartfelt condolences to David, Roy and all those musicians in the Baltimore community who knew Michael Britt. He was an incredible person as well as an amazing organist! I had the privilege of meeting him years ago through Traude Lyon who orchestrated a lunch date. He had recently graduated from Peabody and was beginning his career. We had hoped to do a collaboration but unfortunately, it never worked out. I have attached a link to his performance at Saint Patricks Cathedral in New York City. I listened to it this morning and was especially blown away by his performance of Finlandia. If you get a chance, do tune in.

A special welcome to Roy Belfield, our new accompanist. What fun we all had together and once again, it was as if we had been working together for years and Tuesday was actually our first time. I can just imagine what we all have in store for us. The following is a little joke from Roy that he sent me yesterday. I couldn’t stop laughing!

Now for some important reminders:

1.  As  I mentioned on Tuesday night it would be great if you would put all of your warm-ups in one folder. Warm-ups volume one through five, wake me a song, love, Africa and the Ukrainian alleluia should be in that folder.

2.  Lance will be in the lobby until 6:55 to settle up accounts and sell tickets which can be purchased either online or from Lance with check/cash for the October 1 event.  Let’s have a sellout. Two more weeks. Great way to meet folks, hear great music and support the DCC/DCYC family.

3. Donna will have music. Be sure to hand in the blue copy of True Colors and get the new one!!!!

4.  Share our Facebook and Instagram pages with your friends and family. Let’s try to get 50 new likes by the end of the month.

5.  Greg has you all set up to be well prepared. Use those learning files!!!!!!!

6.  I just looked at the new directory and there are many photos missing. Please either send one to Melissa or I will take one of you at rehearsal.

7.  Make sure you bring water and a sharpened pencil and your organized music to every rehearsal. Also do not forget to inform Greg and myself if you are going to be absent.

Here’s wishing you a fabulous weekend. Stay well and go Ravens! And of course practice practice practice!