Greetings Everyone!

 I hope you are staying cool in this heat wave! At this time we start to gear up for our November season. We are hoping for grand activities commemorating our 20^th Anniversary. As you know, these include our National Veterans Day Concert in DC, our French-American Friendship Concert in Paris, and “Vive la France 2010!” tour. First, however, I would like to report on two extraordinary events that took place around Memorial Day. The first was a social evening for us at the French Embassy in Washington on May 28. The second is a broadcast of last year’s Veterans Day concert on the CNBC Cable Network Paid Programming on Memorial Day Sunday, Sunday, May 30.

THE FRENCH EMBASSY EVENT – FRIDAY, MAY 28, 2010 Several of you attended this very enjoyable screening of our CNBC broadcast.   The French Ambassador, His Excellency Pierre Vimont, was a most gracious host of this rather intimate event – the Embassy accommodates up to 80 people (we had a full house). A number of ambassadors and other diplomats, medical, veterans and other leaders attended.  Bill Kurtis of A&E and Maureen Bunyan of WJLA (ABC) were classy MCs.  Dr. Leo Mackay gave mmg word.  Susan Joy Bishai and Melissa Coombs, with Kleber de Sousa on the piano, delighted us with beautiful live performances – as you read this, try to listen to the beautiful Flower Duet from Delibes’ opera Lakme (MP3 file attached).  Dr. Stephen Joel Trachtenberg, George Washington University President Emeritus, and I commented on the broadcast tape.

The representative of the American Legion gave a very moving word about patriotism and international brotherhood and sisterhood. He shared a rather little known fact, that we will follow up on for our trip. It is that the American Legion was founded, yes, in Paris, in 1919! (see http://www.parispost1.org/content.php?id=92).

The evening went very well and our Group won many new friends. The Washington Post Music Critic Anne Midgette and WETA’s “Around Town” Host Robert Aubrey Davis, both of whom were on travel elsewhere that evening, sent us very warm notes indicating that they look forward to attending our November concert. WJLA Channel 7, Maureen Bunyan’s station, sent a camera crew to the event and aired a great clip of it on its 11:00 pm news that night, May 28. Watch it at our website www.medicalmusical.org, click on “Videos” or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6I8h3Q6E1g (Thanks Kurt Klotz!).  See some photos from the screening immediately below. We will post more on our website soon.

Shots of the Audience at the French Ambassador’s Residence, May 28, 2010

Amb. Samir Sumaida’ie of Iraq and Amb. Pietro Sambi Vatican (left)	Amb.Faida Mitifu of Dem. Rep. of Congo, Amb. Sambi, Amb. Houda Nonoo of Bahrain

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MMG Members and Special Friends at the French Embassy Screening on May 28, 2010.
Front row: Tom Miller of the Blinded Veterans Association, Elizabeth Nunan, Alice Levitin, Terri Duehring, Richard Kuntz, Janice Kuntz, Marliese Haemmerle, Susan Joy Bishai, Chrissie Bishai.
Back row: Deborah Crecraft, former Assistant Secretary of the Air Force Craig Duehring, Victor Wahby, Karen Andrea, Erika Haemmerle

THE CNBC BROADCAST ON SUNDAY, MAY 30, 2010.  It was a part of our 2009 Veterans Day Concert entitled "Healing for the Nations", taped live last November at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC.  The broadcast was very well received and the feedback was quite positive. The cost of the airtime is covered by our sponsors. This is a statement by them that our “Music with a Message” is worthy of being shared on this national broadcast platform. A sponsor that contributed for the first time is AARP.We are very grateful for that, and for the role of our board member Dr. Jake Lozada in realizing it – thanks Jake!

For your enjoyment, we have posted the CNBC broadcast on a special site, where we will have it available for 6 weeks.  You can watch it, and perhaps even download it there (http://medicalmusical.com/restricted-healing.htm).

Paris Skyline	Arc De Triomphe, Paris	Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris&

We will send updated trip rosters and other information to travelers soon. For details, check the trip brochure at www.medicalmusical.org, click on “Vive la France 2010!”.  Please note that the address to send trip and registration payments to has changed to mmg, Attn: Robert Wisleder, 45 Kimball Beach Road, Hingham, MA. 02043-1145

The photos above are again contributed by Marliese Haemmerle (Soprano). I hope they will encourage many more of you to decide to travel. Thanks Marliese! DC REPERTOIRE.  As you know, our theme for the Veterans Day Concert on November 10 in DC is “Welcome Home Veterans!”  The repertoire below emphasizes the home theme and includes a healthy dose of French music in light of our “Vive la France 2010!” tour.

 

DC, NOVEMBER 2010 REPERTOIRE IN PERFORMANCE ORDER

		CHORUS	ORCHESTRA
1	National Anthem	+	+
2	American in Paris (Gershwin) (Excerpt)	-	+
3	Home Sweet Home (arr. Chilcott) (acapella)	+	-
4	Desert Sand (Gober) Solo with small band
5	Veterans Anthem (Wahby)	+	+
6	American Salute (When Johnny Comes Marching Home) (Gould)	-	+
7	O Fortuna (Orff )	+	+
8	New World Symphony – Largo (Dvorak) (Part)	-	+
9	Beautiful Blue Danube Finale (Strauss) (Part-Collage)	-	+
10	Barcarolle – Tales of Hoffman (Offenbach) (Part-Collage)	-	+
11	Tahiti Trot (Tea for Two) (Shostakovich) (Part-Collage)	+	+
12	It’s A Dream Duet – Rosenkavalier (Strauss) (Part-Collage)	-	+
13	Orpheus in Hades (Can Can) (Offenbach) (Part-Collage)	-	+
14	From Sea to Shining Sea (America the Beautiful) (arr. Whitney)	+	+
15	Va Pensiero – Chorus of Hebrew Slaves – Nabucco (Verdi) (English in DC, Italian in Paris)	+	+
16	Toreador Song from Carmen (Bizet) (in French)	+	+
17	Bring Him Home from Les Miserables (Schonberg)	-	+
18	Climb Every Mountain (Rodgers and Hammerstein)	+	+
19	1812 Overture: Finale (Tchaikovsky)	-	+
20	Battle Hymn of the Republic (arr. Wilhousky)	+	+
21	Armed Forces Medley (arr. DoD)	+	+
22	Grand Old Flag (Cohan)	+	+
23	Stars and Stripes (Sousa)	-	+
24	Let There Be Peace on Earth (arr. Ades)	+	+

 

 

PARIS REPERTOIRE.  Our Paris concert is Monday, November 15 at the Grande Salle of UNESCO Headquarters. Distinguished journalist Jim Bittermann of CNN Paris will host.  The repertoire includes many of the DC pieces but we will allow time for our partner chorales and orchestras, too.  We are in the process of finalizing these and I will share shortly.

Grande Salle, UNESCO Headquarters, France	Jim Bittermann - CNN

PARTICIPATION POLL  At this time we usually poll our members in order to confirm participation in our November activities.  Please be kind enough to respond by completing this form prior to July 30, 2010.

PRECONCERT.  Would those of you who wish to perform items at the Preconcert please send me the titles, duration and any specific requirements.  Those who already proposed items, please confirm, in order that we don’t miss anyone.  As you know, there are numerous factors that determine the Preconcert program.   I will notify you re the selections by September 15.

SMALL ENSEMBLES IN DC.  As in past years, we want to send a couple of vocal and instrumental ensembles to perform at Walter Reed and Bethesda Naval Hospitals, the VA Medical Center, and the Soldiers Home while the Group is in Washington, DC.  The small ensembles will rehearse Sunday (November 7) and Monday (November 8) mornings, and perform Tuesday morning, November 9.  Transportation to the performance at these venues will be provided at no cost.  Vocalists and instrumentalists are welcome to participate.  This is a very gratifying experience as the ensembles cheer up our wounded warriors and veterans.  There will be no small ensembles on the concert day itself – we want you to be rested and well hydrated.  If you want to participate, please send a note to:

·         Rick Whittenberger (RickWhittenberger@yahoo.com):  for the INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLE.

·         Karen Wright (kbw_sing@yahoo.com): for the VOCAL ENSEMBLE.

·         Wayne McBride (mcbride@columbus.rr.com): OVERALL COORDINATOR.  Please copy Wayne on your messages to either Karen or Rick.

WASHINGTON HOTEL (HILTON) ROOMMATES IN NOVEMBER.  We have had some members request roommates for our Washington, DC, concert.  If you would like a hotel roommate, please contact Elizabeth Nunan at vanmmg@hotmail.com.  As a reminder, our 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.  For reservations: Call 1-800-HILTONS (1-800-445-8667) and identify yourself as a member of VA-National Medical Musical Group.  Make sure you complete your mmg registration first!  For online reservations: 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!

MATCHING GRANTS  This is a follow up on our friend Forrest Cousens’ (Bass) initiative in doubling his financial contribution to the Group through the Matching Grant Program of his former employer (IBM).  We have followed that rather painless procedure, and have received notification that the matching grant is approved.  So, let me encourage all of you who work for companies that make matching grants, to attempt to follow suit.  I also take this opportunity to thank all of you who made financial contributions to the group.  I can’t overrate the importance of that in today’s economy, and many thanks again Forrest!  Forrest’s email is ForrestCuz@aol.com.

PERSONALIA

1. Deb Rollison (Alto, Author and Founding Board Member). Deb is traveling to Haiti July 23 – August 3rd to provide psychological and spiritual support to Haitian earthquake survivors and long-term volunteers. Part of a counseling and research team from Loyola University Maryland, she will help individuals explore their feelings, reactions, and ways they make meaning in the face ofan immense tragedy like the earthquake. As we approach the six-month anniversary of the massive 7.0 earthquake that devastated Haiti on Jan. 12, please keep the brave, enduring Haitians in your thoughts, prayers and giving. "It's so important for people to have a chance to tell their story" Deb notes. She is completing her doctoral studies in clinical pastoral counseling at Loyola. Deb, we are proud of your work, not to mention your rich contributions to the Group over the years.  We will keep you as well as the Haitians in our thoughts and prayers. Deb’s email address is deb.rollison@comcast.net.

2. Helen Campern, (Alto and Chorus Librarian).  We extend our deep sympathy to Chorale Librarian Helen Camper whose mother, Vera, recently passed away at the age of 95.  Helen’s mother was a nurse for over 50 years and a lifelong resident of Roanoke, Virginia.  Messages of condolence may be left at the Oakey’s Funeral home Web site:  www.oakeys.com.  Helen, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time.  We also appreciate your dedication and hard work for the Group.  Helen’s email is clovemusic@aol.com.

3. Ted Brown (Trombone), I am sad to announce another passing. Ted Brown died on May 31 – he was 90. Jill Striegel writes: “I attended (Ted’s) memorial service. He was an amazing man. He went back to school to get his degree in music at the young age of 65!  Got his degree at 70 years old and taught many children and scouts to play and won many awards. He was a submariner during WW2. I talked about our travels with the mmg. I told of his many friends across the USA and how much he will be missed.” We all remember Ted fondly and thank Jill for her caring and sharing.

And now a reminder!  If you are still on the fence regarding rejoignez-nous! You will not regret it!!  Also, please fill in the poll below (cut and paste) and send to vanmmg@hotmail.com

Regards to all.

Victor

 Concert Participation Form