Greetings All!

We now have the information about the French Embassy event on May 28, 2010, and our CNBC broadcast on May 30.  Below is the story that the Newsletter of the French-American Chamber of Commerce (FACC) is printing about the Embassy screening of the broadcast tape.  A similar story will also appear in the British-American Business Associations’ (BABA) Newsletter.  These are two widely circulated newsletters of the international community in DC.  In addition Sharon Hodges, our Editorial Consultant, is preparing a press release about the event as well (Thanks Sharon !). 

Several of you had written expressing their disappointment that we did not plan a spring concert for Congress on the occasion of Flag Day.  On the other hand, many have said that finances at this time would allow them only the one trip to DC for a concert there.  It seems to me that these twin events, the Embassy reception and to a much higher degree of reach, the broadcast may perhaps, to some degree and in a limited fashion, serve to fill the vacuum left by our not having that concert for Congress.  Obviously, the opportunity to attend is much more readily available to those of us close to the Capital.  I am sure, however, that those of you who can’t be there in person, will vicariously be with us in thought and spirit.  Note that we have a discounted price for our members as well as those of the two other organizations that are publicizing the event.  Tickets may be ordered on our website via Pay Pal (Thanks Kurt Klotz!).

Meanwhile, we continue to build up for our Veterans Day concert, and Paris trip “Vive la France 2010!”.  I’ll be sharing the repertoires and other information on these in the near future.  I’d like to remind those of you who have not yet registered for the year to try to do so.  Also, remember that the deadline for the Early Bird discount payment for “Vive la France 2010!” is coming up soon, on May 15.

As you know, the broadcast on the CNBC Network is on Memorial Day Sunday, May 30, 5:00 – 6:00 pm Eastern (4:00 pm Central, 2:00 pm Pacific).   We appreciate the work of our fundraising team and, of course, the financial support of our sponsors who can make this outreach possible.  Remember to tell your family and friends to watch the broadcast.  I assure you that they will have a most enjoyable hour!

Warm regards to all. 

 
Victor S. Wahby, MD
Founder and Director

 

UPCOMING STORY IN FACC AND BABA NEWSLETTERS

 

French Embassy Screening.  VA-National Medical Musical Group, a chorale and symphony orchestra that performs national and international concerts benefiting humanitarian and health causes, invites its members to view a special broadcast of a patriotic concert on Memorial Day weekend.

The concert will be broadcast on CNBC-TV on Sunday, May 30, at 5:00 pm (Eastern Time), the day before the federal Memorial Day holiday.  The broadcast was taken from a November 2009 Veterans Day concert of music and readings, “Healing for the Nations,” which was recorded at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC.

Maureen Bunyan	Stephen Joel Trachtenberg	Victor Wahby, MD	French Ambassador's Residence, DC	French Ambassador Pierre Vinmont	Bill Kurtis

The broadcast event follows a special screening at the French Embassy in Washington on Friday, May 28, for an invited audience of ambassadors and other members of the diplomatic corps, members of Congress, veterans and medical leaders, members of the French-American Chamber of Commerce, and the media.  The French Ambassador, Pierre Vimont, hosts the event, with Bill Kurtis and Maureen Bunyan serving as Masters of Ceremonies.  Dr. Stephen Joel Trachtenberg, George Washington University President Emeritus, and Dr. Victor Wahby introduce the program.  

There are a limited number of ticketed seats at the French Embassy event that are available for mmg members.  Regular ticket price is $70, however, the reduced price for mmg members is $50.  In addition to attending the screening, ticket price covers food, drinks and live entertainment at the event.

For more information on the VA-National Medical Musical Group and to purchase tickets, visit www.medicalmusical.org.