A lovely note

Just had to share this with you

Our Sister City Estonian event was a triumph.

Do I dare brag just a bit? I am sure you could tell how much we were appreciated. Folk were very vocal about that! The program was built around our performance of some Estonian freedom songs and they indeed were the showpiece of the afternoon.                                                                                                          

Other highlights included Martin Pereboom's brief but effective introduction to a clip of the film, "Singing Revolution" and charming Estonian fok dancers. Dr. Brian Steigler was the perfect emcee and after a brief hiccup, Estonian Ambassador to the U.S. Vaino Reinart gave warm thank you's and regards. A DVD is to be made and sent to our sister city of Tartu.

Reviews from Estonians were that we sounded like an Estonian choir. They stated they had NEVER heard an American choir attempt their challenging language and sound so "perfect". I told the cultural attache that she was very kind but I didn't belive her. She insisted, as did several other embassy officials that it was excellent. She inquired if we had ever considered singing a program in Europe? Who us? well - perhaps... The Daily Times also reported our concert.

Time and energy well spent - YES?

No rest for the weary!!!

By way of announcements: some changes even.

Remember that we changed the concert date to Sunday afternoon, 19 December 2010 - 3:00 pm. AND our first meeting on Sunday, 1:00 pm October 10, 2010 at Wicomico Presbys.

Note the change in first rehearsal also!

An EXTRA rehearsal

It probably wouldn't hurt any of us to have one more rehearsal before the Estonian extravaganza. How about TUESDAY, 7:30 Sept. 8 at the Presbyterians... and then see the previous post for the correct times on Saturday!

OK - just in and FINAL!

After uncontrolled bouncing around - this would be final. Our Estonian appearance has reached the final decisions - I hope. For reasons too numerous to mention, the recption will be held on 11 September at 2:00 in the afternoon. We will be singing in the first 30 minutes. So our day will look like this:

11:00 - rehearse at Great Hall
1:45 - return to site dressed in concert attire
2:00 - sing "Shenendoah"
2:15 - sing 2 Estonian songs: first "Mu Isamaa" and the "Ta Lendam"
2:25 - sing AMERICA MEDLEY - My Country then the Beautiful

There is presumably going to be some Estonian singers and dancers with Embassy Officials from DC and a real nice program followed by a reception. They are encouraging us to stay and mingle but we are welcome to leave anytime after we sing.

Sing for Estonia

If you would be so kind as to move the daisy over one day and note that the presentatin has been changed to Sat evening 11 September 2010.

Follows a rehearsal schedule from now until the Estonia presentation by the "Sister Cities" Committee. In attendance will be representatives of the Estonian Embassy in DC and other Estonian guests. We are also performing three American poieces. God Bless AMerica, My COuntry Tis of Thee, and Shendoah....nice arrangements I just got. I think you will enjoy it.

Rehearsals for that could be

Sunday 2:00 pm July 25

Friday 7:00 pm August 6

Saturday 10:00 am August 7
Saturday 10:00 am August 21
Saturday 11:00 AM August 28
Saturday 11:00 AM September 11 (in the Great Hall - Holloway Hall SU Campus)

6:30 pm September 11 (concert attire)

The fall concert is planned for December 12, 2010 at 3 at Wicomico Presbys and will be the Charpentier Christmas Mass with chamber ensemble. You may not know this but it is charming, French, pre-Mozart composition and delightful to listen to.

Fans of Tartu - UNITE!

For right now, as far as we know...the program to be recorded for our sister city Tartu, Estonia is on September 10, Friday evening at 7:00 in the Great Hall of Holloway on the campus of S.U.

I have ordered really neat arrangments of America the Beautiful and Shenendoah so that we can be sending them some typically American songs as well. Nothing difficult - just really beautiful. I'll set up a low key rehearsal schedule as soon as we get back from Italy (it's a high today in Naples of 74...). This is getting more exciting and apparently the entire evening is to be built around our singing, with Embassy Officials and Estonia Society representatives being invited. Get your passports renewed!!!

WSCL

Kudos to our two newest sopranos Deb Clark and Arlene White for learning a complicated piece in a short amount of time, the Benjamin Britten "Festival Te Deum" and leading the charge to a very special performance. Many, many compliments on our appearance to a capacity crowd in Asbury Church.