Greetings All!

We were at the imposing Swiss Alps, the day after our November 15 Geneva concert. We paused for a group photo, against those towering majestic blue and white peaks in the background.

Courtesy Karen Andrea

The Swiss Alps

One of our members lingered to talk with me. We mused about our “Healing for the Nations” concert series. Only a few years ago, MMG, almost audaciously, launched these concerts. So, what does the good Lord do?! He opens wide for us the doors of the – United Nations! Now, I know that many of you have their own opinions on the UN. Nonetheless, the opportunity to promote through our music, a message of mutual understanding and “peace on earth”, from this lofty world stage – is indeed incredible. We are very grateful for that break, and I am personally indebted to each of our members who contributed to the success of this mission – whether you traveled to Geneva or not.

Courtesy Nancy Darigo Courtesy US Mission Geneva

Jane Darigo (Cello) Amongst the UN Flags MMG in Concert at UN-Europe, Geneva,

in Geneva. Jane traveled from Germany to Switzerland. Nov. 15, 2011

join us; and her sister Nancy (Violin) came

from Alaska to play with us!

And if you rewind back a week earlier, to November 9, you find us at the National Shrine in Washington, DC, performing our 2011 Veterans Day Concert “City Upon a Hill”.

MMG at the Magnificent National Shrine Lindsay Bloom and Ron Masak Were Witty Hosts

Nov. 9, 2011

Commander Jonathan Buth Brings Greetings from the

American Legion, Representing All Veterans

And, although our audience still did not fill up the 4,000 seating capacity of the magnificent Basilica, they made up for that by their unbelievable enthusiasm. Whether it was Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy, Mahler’s #1, La Paloma, the Egyptian Allelujah, the Can Can, or O Sole Mio – and over a dozen more pieces, the cheering and clapping audience was totally and completely immersed with us in the magic of the moment. We “rewarded” them by 2 encores, and I truly felt they would stay for much more! In synergy with the music, were our witty and humorous hosts Ron Masak and Lindsay Bloom, plus the stage presence and delivery of our distinguished narrators: Eleanor Clift, Tony Jimenez, Bob Madigan, and Robert Torti. Add to this the high

Tony Jimenez and Eleanor Clift Robert Torti Bob Madigan

artistry of our soloists Sopranos Ashley Larkin and Laura Whittenberger, Mezzo Susan Joy Bishai, Tenors William Jones, Kelvin Page, and Rolando Sanz, Baritone Jon Bruno, and Bass Steve Arnold. And, of course, the grand and gorgeous harmonies of our chorale and orchestra, reinforced by friends from many local organizations.

MMG Orchestra

MMG Chorale Soloists Jon Bruno, William Jones, Susan Joy Bishai,

Ashley Larkin, Laura Whittenberger, Kelvin Page and

Steve Arnold

Many, many of you worked very hard on these programs, as well as on the details of the overseas trip and concert – a huge success in their own right. Our Logistics and Fundraising Committee, alone, has 20 members. I tip my hat to each and every one of them. There is no way a volunteer organization like ours can take up awesome national and international challenges of such magnitude, except through such devotion and dedication. Even more important, is the commitment of our larger membership, who offer moral, financial and all other kinds of support. Thank you all very much indeed!

I should also mention in this quick review of the past year, our broadcasts on CNBC and FOX Business Paid Programming. These were sponsored by such organizations as AARP, MicroTech, Inc., and many veterans organizations. As you may recall, the enthusiastic viewer response to our CNBC broadcast for Memorial Day, generated the sponsorships that enabled the subsequent FOX broadcast for Independence Day. Here’s a quote from an email message that I received from a prominent veterans leader, concerning our CNBC broadcast” “My neighbor came over and said she cried during the performance because her nephew, an Iraqi vet, had committed suicide last December and she said how much the program meant to his parents and to the entire family. WELL DONE!” Well – need I say more??!

LOOKING AHEAD TO 2012. Exciting possibilities await us in 2012! Let me begin with the November concert and count down backwards. The success of our UN Concert in Geneva has generated interest in our performing for the UN in New York in November 2012. Some members of the diplomatic corps who are familiar with our concerts have introduced us to the appropriate New York offices, and we are following up on that possibility. If that materializes, the overseas trip will probably originate from New York. This is being actively pursued in light of the recommendations of our town hall meeting – see below. I know that you would like to make vacation and other plans soon, so we will certainly keep you promptly apprised.

A FLAG DAY CONCERT? Again, in our town hall meeting, the idea of revisiting our Flag Day Concerts was raised. We had performed these June concerts for the US Congress for many years. I am not sure yet of what will transpire, but a committee of us is exploring a Congressional Commemorative Ceremony for Veterans and the Military, on the occasion Bicentennial of the War of 1812. Proposed date: Wednesday, June 6, 2012, 2:00 – 3:30 pm, which happens also to be the anniversary of D-Day of World War II. The message would be national unity in the face of adversity. In the War of 1812, the sacking of the Capitol and White House were momentous calamities. And yet, America rose triumphantly from the ashes and in Francis Scott Key’s immortal words – “That Star-Spangled Banner Yet Waves”!

OVERSEAS TRIP 2012. Here’s a recap of Travel Venues proposed by MMG members in our Town hall Meeting of Nov. 7, 1011. They are listed alphabetically since no prioritization emerged, although Canada was repeatedly mentioned.

1. Canada

a. Quebec, with a possible concert in New York prior to the trip.

b. Vancouver or Banff; Seattle could be the nearby site for a stateside concert.

2. Croatia.

3. Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania – possible ferry excursion to St. Petersburg, Tallinn as an anchoring city.

4. Guadalajara, Mexico.

5. Iceland.

6. India.

7. Puerto Rico.

8. River Cruise – could be in Russian area or elsewhere in Europe.

9. Russia and the Ukraine.

10. Samoa (American).

11. South America.

a. Argentina.

b. Chile.

12. Spain/Portugal.

Our own ingenious Elizabeth Nunan is carefully and very actively looking into these possibilities and I am sure she will come up with a recommendation that will be outstanding.

END OF THE YEAR CONTRIBUTIONS. A reminder to, if at all possible, make a financial contribution to MMG. Contributions are tax-deductible, and MMG is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt nonprofit. As a token of appreciation, we will send a complimentary DVD for every donation of $50, as well as for each of its multiples. You can turn around and use these elegant DVDs as Holiday gifts to friends and family. Please seriously consider your ability to contribute; and also whether MMG’s work is worthy as a charity that you would support. Then, act accordingly. There is still time to apply your donation against 2011 taxes!

2010 HONOR ROLL. We have not done this before and I do not want to embarrass our generous members. However, I feel it would be appropriate to list here our 2010 Honor Roll members who contributed financially in 2010. I hope the number will be doubled this year!

TO DONATE. Donating online is the most practical method. To donate on line, please go to www.medicalmusical.org, click on "Donate". This will get you to a Secure Site where you can make your contribution by credit card. If you wish to send a check, please make it payable to: Medical Musical Group and mail it to MMG, Attn: Robert Wisleder, 45 Kimball Beach Road, Hingham, MA 02043-1145. Thanks again!

PERSONALIA.

1. Dolores Hadley (Soprano). Dolores fell and broke her wrist in Geneva after our concert at the UN. Many of you have inquired how she is doing. After returning early from the trip, Dolores had surgery on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and had a titanium plate put in her wrist and has a 3 inch scar to show for it. She is still undergoing physical therapy, but most of the pain is gone. She sends her best to all. She has been having trouble with her Internet connection and also cannot send emails so I am not including her email address at this time, but we wish her complete recovery and a wonderful time for the Holidays.

2. Papal Nuncio Archbishop Pietro Sambi. Archbishop Sambi passed last July. I report this to you with a very heavy heart. Ambassador Sambi in 2008, in response to an introduction by the Chaplain of the US Congress who knew our group, was the first member of the diplomatic corps with whom we shared MMG’s vision of “Healing for the Nations”. Ambassador Sambi, or “The Archbishop”, as he was fondly called, instantaneously embraced the vision, chaired our concert’s Ambassador’s Committee and helped populate it with over 50 Washington-based ambassadors. The Archbishop was not only a man of the cloth, but also a polished and sophisticated diplomat who worked tirelessly for peace and reconciliation between peoples and faiths, particularly in the turbulent Middle East. We honor his memory, and miss his comforting pastoral friendship.


Late Vatican Amb. Pietro Sambi (right) Dr. Jake Lozada at our 2011 Concert
with Amb. Samir Sumaida’ie of Iraq at the National Shrine
at the MMG Reception at the French
Embassy in DC, May 2010

3. Dr. Jake Lozada (MMG Board Member). Last month, President Barack Obama appointed Dr. Lozada as a Member of the White House Advisory Group on Prevention, Health Promotion, and Integrative and Public Health. President Obama said of the group, “I am honored that these talented individuals have decided to join this Administration and serve our country. I look forward to working with them in the months and years ahead.” Dr. Lozada, a former Assistant VA Secretary, and currently a member of the National Board of the AARP, is a great fan and champion of MMG, and we are honored to have him on our board. What a great deserved, and “Presidential” honor, Jake – congratulations! Thank you also for all your support of MMG – we are most grateful. Dr. Lozada’s email is prjake44@verizon.net.

4. Sister Nancy Linenkugel (MMG Board Member and Cello Principal). Sister Nancy reports on her new position: “Last spring 2010, the Chair of the Department of Health Services Administration at Xavier University in Cincinnati announced her retirement effective May 31, 2011. Xavier did a national search and I was contacted but I said to go away since I have a job (I'm serving a four-year term on the elected leadership team of my order, the Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, OH, that extends through 6/30/12). That search wasn’t successful, so they did a second search. I was again contacted and there was much more pressure. It’s a long story of thinking about that and deciding to apply, which I finally did. After quite a few months, a two-day interview there, and figuring out how I could do two jobs—be the Chair of HSA at Xavier in Cinci and finish my last year on Council up here, I’m the one they wanted and so I accepted the job. I got started there on Aug 16. We certainly don't know the plans God has for us!” Congratulations Chairperson, Order Leader – or simply “Sister Nancy”! This is a testimony to your rich talent and multifaceted abilities. We are most fortunate to have you in our fold. And, oh, I forgot your most important title: “Principal Cello”. Sister Nancy’s email address is: nlinenkugel@aol.com.


Sister Nancy Linenkugel Dr. Leo Mackay

5. Dr. Leo Mackay (Board Member). I guess this newsletter is becoming a “brag parade” or showcase for our board. Dr. Mackay is a most accomplished “young” man (relative to me). He is a visionary former Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and is currently Senior Vice President at Lockheed Martin. However, most importantly, like many of us mere mortals – a proud father. Leo shared news about his daughter Sarah: “Sarah was invited by the Orlando Ballet into their “OB2” program. Ballet is something of a guild system. Young dancers apprentice in “second companies” (hence OB2) or “studio companies” until they are asked to become full-fledged dancers and part of the corps de ballet or maybe even soloists. Sarah has studied at the Washington Ballet for several years now, most recently as a member of their full-time Professional Training Program for the last year. She has always done her summer intensive training away from DC – usually at Houston Ballet for the last couple years. This year, as she turned 18, she decided between Orlando and Nashville as both very much wanted her to come for summer intensive and both hinted that she might be offered a full-time job as a follow-on. She went to Orlando, and at the end of her time there this summer tried out and was offered a job. She took it.” Oooorah and congratulations Leo, and also sincere best wishes for the lovely and gifted Sarah! Perhaps she can grace one of our concerts with a dance??

Regards to all. Victor

A Pleasant Souvenir of Our November Trip: Le Palais de Méditerranée, Nice, France