Greetings Everyone!

Happy Valentine’s Day to all!  Also, I hope those of you who are snowed under – literally – are keeping warm and safe!

We now have a fairly good idea of our November schedules, and I would like to share these with you for your planning.  As you know, we have 2 major events in November.  These are our 2010 National Veterans Day Concert, and our much anticipated grand trip “Vive la France 2010!”  that immediately follows the concert.  It is to Paris , France , with an extension to Brussels and Amsterdam .  The trip includes a concert in Paris .  This concert, in its own right, is a third major November event.  In fact, since we are counting, the DC and Paris performances are #4 and #5 in our “Healing for the Nations” concert series.

                                            

  VA-NMMG at National Shrine, Washington, DC, November 4, 2009            Cokie Roberts                            

                                                        Courtesy J. Stuart Harris

2010 NATIONAL VETERANS DAY CONCERT.  It will once again be at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington , DC , on Wednesday, November 10, 2010 – the eve of Veterans Day.  The next day, Thursday, November 11, 2010, is a Federal Holiday, so hopefully more audience will attend the performance on Wednesday night.  We also may be able to include the concert in the official Veterans Day calendar of events, increasing the likelihood that President Obama may attend.  Our good friend, Cokie Roberts of ABC News, is the first guest to sign on as an MC-Narrator, with more to come.  Rehearsals start Saturday, November 6, 2010, at the Crystal City Hilton hotel.  I’ll be sharing the repertoire later.

DC HOTEL. Is the Hilton Crystal City at Reagan National Airport , Arlington , VA.  Our rate is $126/room double occupancy plus tax.  The Hilton offers a complimentary shuttle from Reagan National Airport .  Hilton reservations are open now: Call 1-800-HILTONS (1-800-445-8667) and identify yourself as a member of VA-National Medical Musical Group.  For online reservations: http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/groups/personalized/DCANAHF-MMG-20101105/index.jhtml?WT.mc_id=POG, use MMG as Group/Convention Code.  Our rate applies November 5 through 12, 2010.  Reservations deadline is October 6 but the rooms fly fast – so make your reservation soon!  Once our room block is filled, the rate reverts to the normal non-discounted rate.  If you need a roommate at the hotel, please contact Elizabeth Nunan ASAP at vanmmg@hotmail.com.  She will try to connect you with others who have requested a roommate.  Remember, you must first be duly registered with VA-NMMG in order to qualify for our group rate.  See “MMG 2010 Registration” below.

DC REHEARSAL SCHEDULE.
Saturday, November 6 : 2:00 – 5:00; 7:00 - 10:00 pm at the Hilton Crystal City, 2399 Jefferson Davis Highway , Arlington , VA 22202 , Tel: 703-418-6800.

Sunday, November 7: 2:00 - 5:00 pm and 7:00 - 10:00 pm at the Hilton Crystal City .

Monday, November 8: Town Hall Meeting 5:30 pm .  Rehearsal 7:00 - 10:00 pm at the Hilton Crystal City .

Tuesday, November 9: 7:00 pm . Dress Rehearsal (casual dress) at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, 400 Michigan Ave., NE, Washington, DC, 202-526-8300, www.nationalshrine.com.  Free parking at the Basilica, or you may use our group bus transportation from the Hilton departing at 5:30 pm (There is a charge!)   If you wish to use Metro transportation, the Basilica stop is Brookland-Catholic University on the Red line.

Wednesday, November 10: 6:30 pm PRECONCERT, and 7:30 pm CONCERT at the National Shrine.  Buses depart the Hilton 5:00 pm .

OVERSEAS TOUR “Vive la France 2010!”  As you know, our 2010 overseas trip is to Paris, France .  We will be based in Paris but will have day excursions to other locations, e.g. Normandy Beach .  After Paris as the Main Trip, the Optional Extension is to Brussels, Belgium . 

Dates are November 11 – 18, 2010, for the Main Trip in Paris , and November 18 -21 for the Optional Extension in Brussels . Incidentally, one of the secondary “Optional Excursions” from Brussels is a day excursion to neighboring Amsterdam , Holland – a third country in the same trip, making it a Trifecta!

By all accounts of those who previewed the plans for “Vive la France 2010!” , it promises to be a mega-hit and I am enclosing its brochure.  The tour is now open for registration.  Note that the deadline for the Early Bird discount is March 15!  

“Vive la France 2010!”  is in 2 parts: 

1.       Basic Trip ( Paris ): November 11 - 18, 2010.  It includes the following components: 6 nights at the 4-star new and strategically located Concorde Montparnasse Hotel, hot buffet breakfast every morning, 3 dinners including a banquet, ground transportation in Paris by deluxe coach, half-day city guided tour of Paris, porterage at the hotel, all service charges and taxes, gratuities to guides and bus drivers except on optional tours.  The half day Paris tour by coach includes: Champs-Elysees, Arc de Triomphe, Les Invalides, Concorde Square , Trocadero, Bastille square, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Luxembourg gardens and Saint-Germain des Pres, and panoramic views of the city from the 2^nd floor of the Eiffel Tower .    There are also multiple optional excursions – to Versailles Palace , the Louvre Museum , Montmartre, Reims and Champagne Region, Normandy , and a night on the town to the famous Moulin Rouge in Paris .

The Optional Excursions in France are more expensive than those in England last year.  This is because the coach and tour guide fees are almost 30% higher in France .  However, if one takes these excursions on their own with local tour companies, they would be more expensive.  Keep in mind that our tours include transportation, no standing in line for entrance, and other conveniences.

2.       Optional Extension (Brussels, Belgium ): November 18 - 21, 2010. Includes: 3 nights at the centrally located 4-star Brussels Marriott, hot buffet breakfast every morning, ground transportation from and back to Paris in deluxe coach, guided tours of Waterloo and Brussels , and one dinner. There are also optional excursions to Ghent and Bruges , Belgium , and Amsterdam , Holland .  

In addition to the great itinerary, you will have all of the following advantages available to you as part of our grand tour.  We will have your reservations and arrangements made for you in advance to ensure you will have the peace of mind, comfort and security of being part of a large tour group.  As the TV promo says, for all the above, a credit card may be used.  What is priceless, however, is  the wonderful spirit of camaraderie, friendship, fellowship, unforgettable fond memories, and innumerable Kodak moments that our Group trips famously provide.    

This is a very attractive tour!  As usual, no effort was spared in getting the best amenities at the most effective cost.  It is a package of the utmost competitive value!  If you have never traveled with us before, this is the year to do it.  I don’t know if we will ever have a similar outstanding and tres magnifique opportunity for a visit to Paris .

·         “Vive la France 2010!”  – TOUR COST. Cost of the Basic Trip, with all the outstanding components described above, including roundtrip airfare DC/Paris/DC on Air France , is only $2,670, and the Brussels Extension is $725.  See enclosed brochure for detailed information.  Check the significant Early Bird discounts below.

·         “Vive la France 2010!”  – REGISTRATION .  Use the attached trip registration form.   You may also register on line at our secure website www.medicalmusical.org, click on “Vive la France 2010!”.  The website accepts up to $750 with a 3% service charge ($23).  The remainder may be paid by check to VA-NMMG and mailed to VA-NMMG, Attn: Robert Wisleder, 45 Kimball Beach Road, Hingham, MA 02043-1145.   We have opted against paying the full registration via the Web.  The reason is this 3% surcharge by the credit card companies.  This would amount to well over $80 – much more expensive than US Mail or FedEx!  Therefore, please use US mail or similar couriers. 

·         IMPORTANT: EARLY BIRD TRIP REGISTRATION. You will save $165 per traveler on the Basic Trip plus $50 on the Brussels Extension if you send your $750 deposit postmarked by March 15 AND final payment postmarked by May 15.  Send it to VA-NMMG, Attn: Robert Wisleder, 45 Kimball Beach Road, Hingham, MA 02043-1145.

·         REWARD FOR RECRUITING NEW TRAVELERS.  If you register a new traveler who has never traveled with us previously, you earn a free optional excursion (except the Moulin Rouge and Normandy Excursions) of your choice per new traveler, as long as space is available on that particular excursion.  This, as well as the regular reservations for Optional Excursions, are on a first come, first served basis.  The usual cut-off number for Optional Excursions is 50 passengers per excursion. 

·         Also, requests for roommates on the trip in general are on a first come first served basis.  Late registration may result in no availability of a roommate and the need to pay a single supplement fee.

PARIS CONCERT.  We have secured the Grande Salle de l'UNESCO (the Great Hall of UNESCO) at UNESCO Paris Headquarters for our concert in November.  This is a fabulous venue in so many ways.  The concert will be Monday, November 15, 2010, 7:30 PM .  The US Embassy in Paris has agreed to sponsor our concert (publicity, etc. but no funds).

 

     
                                                            Grande Salle, UNESCO Headquarters, Paris , France

MMG 2010 REGISTRATION.  Registrations are good for one calendar year, and you must be duly registered in order to qualify for the concerts, hotels, trips, etc.  More importantly, your membership will be a symbol of your belonging to, and support of, the noble mission of this nationwide musical family.  It is a mission of healing through music, that transcends many boundaries and barriers and also – oceans! You may register on-line at www.medicalmusical.org, click on "Join" or use the attached form.  If you are able to make a financial contribution, please do so – every little but helps, particularly in this economy.  Our Webmaster, Kurt Klotz has posted the names of 2009 contributors in recognition: see www.medicalmusical.org, click on “Honor Roll”.   Thank you all who made contributions already!

PHOTOS.  Kurt has also posted photos from our November 2009 DC concert (www.medicalmusical.org, click on “Photos”), thank you Kurt!  Photos from London are coming soon.

I encourage you to review the “Vive la France 2010!” Brochure attached, and hope that you will travel with us this year to the City of Lights .  A trip registration form and a VA-NMMG Membership form are also attached for your convenience.