President s Note. Newsletter November 2014 Proudly supporting the Colorado Springs Philharmonic. In this issue: Dear friends,

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1 President s Note Dear friends, Newsletter November 2014 Proudly supporting the Colorado Springs Philharmonic. One of the advantages of being your president is that I am the recipient of many (undeserved by me) compliments after our meetings. Following our first meeting in September at Fountain Valley School, phone calls, notes and s from many of you complimented Linda Johnson and her girls, especially talented daughter-in-law Laura, who set a lovely Spanish style table perfect in the Hacienda living room where we met. Linda s crew quietly picked up plates while Colorado Springs architect, Mike Collins, educated us about the art and architecture and history of this unusual place. Colin McAllister s performance on his acoustic guitar fit in perfectly with ambience of the night. Mike then led us out to the school s chapel where to the delight of everyone, he turned out the lights and suddenly, there were our beautiful mountains standing tall through the chapel s windows. Mike also surprised us with a very generous offer of his services as an auction item at the Bavarian Christmas Dinner new bathroom or kitchen anyone? Nathan Newbrough explained the Chairman s Challenge, and our Treasurer, John Meyer, was especially pleased to announce a contribution of $3,000 from the Peachy Party in matching funds for the Challenge. In October, we traveled north to our city s new 21st Century Library. After a too long a wait for coffee and brunch foods from Her Story Cafe, the caterer from the library restaurant, we were able to settle back and enjoy a most interesting power point presentation on Clara Schumann, presented by Mary Ellis new daughter-in-law, Eliana Murphy-Ellis. Eliana s research was extraordinary and the story she told about this pianist left us wishing to hear more. Linda Johnson, our program chairman, also arranged a tour of this fascinating library. Now our Guild is gearing up for two huge fundraisers the continued on page 2 Photo courtesy Charles Warren In this issue: Event calendar Nutcracker Fundraiser Bavarian Christmas Dinner CS Youth Symphony interview.. 5 Treasurer s report Membership notes Philharmonic concerts

2 continued from page 1 Nutcracker on November 28, 29, and 30, and the Bavarian Christmas Dinner on December 17th. I surely hope every member will take it upon themselves to in SOME WAY do their part to guarantee success. Volunteer your time or talent. Treat friends or family to the dinner or sell a whole table of seats. If you are unavailable, why not give a donation? Your money goes a long way! Think of auction items you would enjoy having or giving and then tell Ros Block or Lars Gronhagen. Let s make an all-out effort to continue growing these fundraisers for our great Philharmonic and have fun together doing it! Musically yours, Pamela Street President, Colorado Springs Symphonic Guild The 19th Annual Nutcracker Booth is one of the largest fundraisers for the Philharmonic Guild. As usual, the Nutcracker Ballet will be performed by the Philharmonic the weekend immediately following Thanksgiving Day. Last year s new sales table on the mezzanine level did increase our profits! The Pricing Party held in the lobby of the Pikes Peak Center was a success! 52 volunteer slots were filled last year and we need YOU to volunteer this year! Times needed: Friday, Nov. 28, 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29, 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Sunday Nov, 30, 1:00 p.m. Upcoming Calendar Nov. 11 Board Meeting Nov The Nutcracker Boutique Pikes Peak Center (multiple lobby levels) during all Nutcracker performance intermissions 190 S Cascade Ave; contact Nancy Pittman Dec. 9 Board Meeting Dec. 17 Bavarian Christmas Dinner Fundraiser and Auction 5:00 p.m. silent auction/social time; 6:30 dinner/live auction at Briarhurst Manor and Estate 404 Manitou Ave ; contact Roslyn Block As the Guild will not meet in November, please phone Nancy Pittman to volunteer ( ). Nancy will also be collecting shopping bags (with handles) in good condition and vintage (used) nutcrackers to sell. Let s make this another record year! Photo courtesy Rocky Chen Bavarian Christmas Dinner The Guild s 5th Annual Bavarian Christmas Dinner will be held this year on December 17th at the Briarhurst Manor Inn. The event committee is busy planning a festive evening complete with a chef-inspired gourmet Bavarian feast, authentic Bavarian entertainment and exciting silent and live auction items. Please make your reservations and join your fellow Philharmonic devotees in support of our wonderful Colorado Springs Philharmonic Orchestra. We are in the process of collecting auction items and need your help! Please ask your friends, neighbors and relatives in business as well as businesses you frequent if they would consider making a tax deductable donation for our event. Some of the most popular auction items are gift certificates to restaurants, spas, salons, music and entertainment, golf outings, overnight stays, adventure activities, gift baskets, jewelry and vacation destinations. We really need your help to make the auction a success! Jan. 13 Board Meeting Colorado Springs Symphonic Guild Board Officers Pamela Street, President Roslyn Block, Vice President, Special Events and Fundraising Marion Meyer, Marketing and Communications Nora Durham and Anne Young, Membership John Meyer, Treasurer Mary Martin, Corresponding Secretary Mary Ellis, Recording Secretary Exciting Nutcracker Booth Fundraiser News! Committee Chairs Becky Whyley, Backstage Hospitality Robin Gates, Scholarship Linda Johnson, Programs and Locations Lars Gronhagen, Peachy Party Nancy Pittman, Nutcracker Boutique Roslyn Block, Bavarian Christmas Dinner If you have questions regarding donations that we have already secured, if you need donation forms or if you would like us to pick up a donation please call or Roslyn or Lars. Roslyn Block blockparty.ros@gmail.com (home) or (cell) Lars Gronhagen larsgronhagen@gmail.com Colorado Springs Philharmonic Guild 3

3 Colorado Springs Youth Symphony Cellist Olympia Vida The Guild has been active for many years in raising money for scholarships for the CSYS. Recently, Guild member Linda Johnson interviewed promising CSYS cellist, Olympia Vida. How did you choose the cello as your instrument? When I was in third grade, there was the annual orchestra concert geared toward recruiting students for the upcoming season. It certainly worked on me! I immediately wanted to play an instrument. I wanted something that wasn t too big or too small. It needed to have a low sound. Violin and Bass were out of the picture. I didn t even know what a viola was, so cello was a perfect option. Who influenced you? My first orchestra teacher, Ms. Linda Johnson, brought a quirkiness to playing a stringed instrument that I very much connected with. She is still a great part of my life and has helped me tremendously in countless ways. My first private teacher, Mr. Ed Deepe, aided me in the audition process of getting into the Encore Youth Orchestra of the CSYSA. Mrs. Nancy Snustad is my current private teacher who has inspired me to truly love what I do and to achieve my own personal goals, no matter how hard it may seem. There were quartet coaches, various school directors, and professional performers from whom I learned, understanding different aspects of the diverse and amazing field of music. With what has the CSYSA organization provided you? The CSYSA has given me many opportunities within our community and across the world. I took two international tours with this group: my first to Turkey and Bulgaria in 2012 and the second to Japan last summer. I had the amazing chance to play with conductors, students, and professionals from different countries that I never imagined I would visit. Ever since I made it into the CSYS, I have been associated with chamber music, specifically quartet repertoire. It is one of my favorite types of music to play. This past season, I was able to perform my solo in Japan which was an incredible feeling. I learned that chair placement tests are quite common in reality and they should not be taken lightly. I learned how the music needs to be incorporated throughout the entire orchestra. The teamwork that every individual puts in really does contribute to the performance of the group. My understanding of Through Music We Are One has given me the stamina to reach out and never give up. What skills do you need in your current role? The most important skill to have is the capability to focus for hours at a time. Next is determination. Musicians want to be perfect in their playing. This does not occur overnight. Self-discipline is essential. I learned from the CSYSA to be a leader. Everyone is a leader. How will each of us interpret this? Do we want to make a lasting impression on others? This is something I am striving for every day. Aside from the instrumental skills needed to play the cello well, an understanding of who you are is probably more important. Only then will the physical skills come into play. What is the most rewarding part of what you do? Recently, I completed my Western States Honor Orchestra audition recording with my teacher. The amount of practice that I put into preparing for the audition was quite long, but once I finished my final recording session, I was VERY pleased with what I achieved. I had impr oved immensely within a matter of weeks and I feel more confident with my playing in general. My hardcore practicing had really paid off and the feeling was just so rewarding. What do you wish you had known before becoming a musician? I wish I had known how much of an emotional rollercoaster the field of music is! From fear to doubt to pure joy, there are so many emotions involved in playing music. But, you cannot understand how extreme it is until you actually experience it. I have had my good share of ups and downs, but the road is not over. I have yet to face the professional world! What are the challenges and opportunities for making a career as a musician? With our technology today, there are so many options for musicians. I have toured a professional recording studio in Universal Studios in California. They explained many fascinating professions that anyone could obtain if desired. Solo work, chamber music, symphonic performances, recording studios, music therapy, and music education, are just a few to name that provide just as challenging and rewarding careers to musicians. The challenge is worrying whether or not you re going to be good enough to ace an audition and a position in a professional orchestra or make enough money to support yourself. But as long as the passion within yourself is there, you can accomplish anything you want. Note: This is one of a series of articles on how Colorado Springs Philharmonic Guild members make a difference in the musical community of Colorado Springs. For suggestions for future columns, please contact Marion Meyer, marion@peakdream.com, Colorado Springs Philharmonic Guild 5

4 Treasurer s Report September 30, 2014, prepared by John Meyer, Treasurer Cash Admin checking account $8, Scholarship account $2, Scholarship CDs $3, Fundraising account $2, Fundraising savings account $5, Total cash as of September 30, 2014 $22, Peachy Party profit $3, Donation to the Philharmonic $3, Peachy Party Profit Through the Years 2006 $1, $1, $1, $1, $1, $2, $2, $1, $3, Best year yet! Membership Notes The Colorado Springs Philharmonic recently hosted the 4th Annual Appreciation Reception and Concert for the Philharmonic Guild members on Sunday, October 26 at the Pikes Peak Center. Over 30 Guild members were in attendance to enjoy coffee, tea and dessert prior to the concert. Our Maestro Josep Caballé-Domenech and our CEO Nathan Newbrough were in attendance and thanked all of us for our support. Last year, , the Guild contributed $30,500 to the Philharmonic and this year our goal is to increase our contribution to the Philharmonic. A big thank you to all of us! Current membership rates: Single: $35 Family: $60 Sustaining Individual: $75 Sustaining Family: $125 More information about joining the Guild can be found at guild.csphilharmonic.org. Upcoming Philharmonic Concerts Don t miss these performances! Beethoven and Bruckner November 15-16, 2014 El Pomar Foundation Masterworks Josep Caballé-Domenech, conductor Anne-Marie McDermott, piano Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 1 Bruckner Symphony No. 3 (1889) The Nutcracker November 28-30, 2014 Holiday Performances Thomas Wilson, conductor Oklahoma City Ballet Robert Mills, artistic director Student dancers from the Pikes Peak region New in 2014! The Oklahoma City Ballet joins the Philharmonic for a fresh production of Tchaikovsky s holiday tradition with four family-friendly performances over Thanksgiving weekend. The Oklahoma City Ballet has perfected the timeless masterpiece with more than 50 years of presentations. Christmas Symphony December 21, 2014 Holiday Performances Thomas Wilson, conductor Colorado Springs Chorale The orchestra and Chorale present Christmas favorites featuring the Philharmonic brass performing A Canadian Brass Christmas. New Year s Eve December 31, 2014 Holiday Performances Thomas Wilson, conductor The Philharmonic transforms the Pikes Peak Center into a swing club with jazz and rock favorites from the 20s, 30s, and 40s. Don t miss the annual balloon drop at the biggest New Year s party in town! Sea to Shining Sea January 9-10, 2015 Philharmonic Pops Thomas Wilson, conductor American fanfare from start to finish! Hear our generation s most-loved patriotic themes, including military favorites, wartime classics, and today s most recognized film scores. Boléro January 24-25, 2015 El Pomar Foundation Masterworks Josep Caballé-Domenech, conductor Pablo Sáinz Villegas, guitar Massenet Suite from Le Cid Rodrigo Concierto de Aranjuez Palomo Nocturnos de Andalucia Ravel Boléro 6 Colorado Springs Philharmonic Guild 7

5 PO Box 7584 Colorado Springs, CO guild.csphilharmonic.org