This is my Editorial page
It's the new season:   2010 – 2011
So many changes have taken place.
The only constant is the ARTS – music remains the same.
It is the time to begin making plans for our Concert season. Whether you are a performer or a listener, NOW is the time to become a Patron of the Arts.



75 YEARS !
Just Like Social Security

The other day I read my 'Social Security Statement' that came in the mail. At the top is a circle with "75 Years!" in it – wow!. One of the paragraphs on the page says:

Since 1935, America has kept the promise of security for its workers and their families. Now, however, the Social Security system is facing serious financial problems, and action is needed soon to make sure the system will be sound when today's younger workers are ready for retirement.
"Since 1935", that's what it says at the beginning of the web site – Community music since 1935. But that is not the only similarity.

The Danbury Music Centre "is facing serious financial problems" also. This has not been the case in the past – at least not in the last 30 - 40 years. Individual membership is doing really well. In fact,the performing musicians do not get paid and most are also members. But there used to be more corporate sponsors. Every free concert needs to have a corporate sponsor in order to pay rental, music, and many other fees that add up to thousands of dollars for each performance.

Part of the problem, in my opinion, is that there are fewer 'local' corporations. Many are owned by some larger company – a company that doesn't really care about the cultural environment of the greater Danbury community. If you are not a member, consider joining the Danbury Music Centre. But more important, if you know any business owners or corporate executives, talk to them about sponsoring individual concerts or just making a donation to benefit the programs of the Danbury Music Centre. To obtain more information, contact the DMC office.

Walt Sudik

As you may know, the DMC sponsors several 'Recitals' during the year. This year, several musicians have asked to use the facilities of the Marian Anderson Recital Hall to give benefit recitals. the first is Carlos Sousa and Men Without Instruments. There is also a Violin/Piano benefit recital by David Gale, and Alex Thompson bringing together over a dozen people playing Big Band music.







DMC News

and the winner is . . .

Rehearsls Begin

 Nutcracker Auditions

DSO Concerto Competition

Men Without Instruments
a benefit recital

A Letter to the Editor




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The Deming Family Scholarship Winner

The Danbury Music Centre awarded the 10th annual Deming Family Scholarship to
trombone player Antonia LoConte from Carmel, New York.
Deming Scholarship winner 2010
pictured left to right are John Cherry, Chairman of the selection committee,
Antonia LoConte, and Larry Deming

Antonia is a graduate of Carmel High School and is in her junior year at SUNY Fredonia majoring in Music Education. Larry Deming, son of Danbury resident Mary Deming, and the late Robert Deming, presented the award on behalf of his parents who have made these annual awards available in appreciation of the many musical opportunities the Danbury Music Centre provides for the community. The Deming Family Scholarship is awarded each summer to a student or students from the greater Danbury area attending an accredited college or university for advanced study in music. For information about the next round of scholarships, call Nancy F. Sudik at the Danbury Music Centre, 203-748-1716. Nancy F. Sudik Executive Director Danbury Music Centre
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Nutcracker 2010 Auditions

Nothing marks the ending of summer more than the announcement of Nutcracker Auditions. This year promises to be a great year. The dates to set aside are Friday, Sep. 17 and Saturday Sep. 18. You can download the entire brochure and print out the registration form. For more information about dancing, or singing in the Snowflake Chorus, contact the DMC office.
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Rehearsals Begin

DANBURY CONCERT CHORUS
Christine Howlett, Guest Conductor
Tuesday Sep. 7, 2010   7:30pm - 9:30pm
New singers are always welcome and there are no auditions to join the group. Please contact the Danbury Music Centre for additional information.   The
Nov. 14th concert includes  Ave Verum Corpus
by Mozart, Holst's Let All Mortal Flesh
Keep Silent
and Zigeuerlieder, by Brahms

DANBURY COMMUNITY ORCHESTRA
STEPHEN MICHAEL SMITH, Music Director and Conductor
Wednesday Sep. 15, 2010   7:00pm - 9:00pm
Music for the Dec. 5th concert may include
Schubert's Unfinished Symphony, Mendelssohn's Midsummer Night's Dream, mov'ts I, II, & III, Gould's American Salute, and Danzon No. 2 by Marquez.

DANBURY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
ARIEL RUDIAKOV, Music Director and Conductor
Monday Sep. 13, 2010   7:30pm - 10:00pm
There are vacancies in all string sections - contact the Danbury Music Centre for more Information.
Eric Coates' The Three Elizabeths,
Dvorak's Romance in f minor
and
Symphony Mo. 1 by Brahms
DANBURY PREPARATORY STRING ORCHESTRA
GLEN LEBETKIN, Music Director
Thursday Sep. 16, 2010   7:00pm - 9:00pm
This orchestra is suitable for string players of all ages who wish to gain experience by learning to play in a large ensemble of only string instruments (violin, viola, cello and string bass). Contact the Danbury Music Centre for additional information or look through the brochure.

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The Ninth Annual Danbury Symphony Orchestra
Student Concerto Competition

Application deadline:  October 12, 2010

The prize will be a solo performance with the Danbury Symphony Orchestra, under Ariel Rudiakov, Music Director and Conductor, on Sunday, January 23, 2011, at 3:00pm at a location to be announced.

Student musicians, no older than senior year in high school in September 2010 and living in the greater Danbury area, are eligible to audition. This contest is open to performers of all orchestral instruments, as well as piano and voice.

Applications must be postmarked by Tuesday, October 12, 2010, and mailed to Danbury Music Centre, 256 Main Street, Danbury, CT 06810, along with a non-refundable $25 application fee (payable to Danbury Music Centre) and a recording of a CD or audio tape, representing the applicant's skill level. Up to ten finalists will be selected, based upon these tapes. The Concert for selected finalists will take place on Saturday, November 6, 2010, at 3:00 p.m at the Marian Anderson Recital Hall.

To receive application information, contact Nancy F. Sudik at the Danbury Music Centre, 203-748-1716.


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Men Without Instruments
a benefit recital

Saturday, Sep. 25, 2010
256 Main St.


Men Without Instruments

Carlos Sousa and his friends will present a benefit recital in the Marian Anderson Recital Hall. This group specializes in singing doo-wop music and has become extremely popular. It will be a very fun-filled evening. Early arrival is suggested.

The cost of $10.00 will benefit the programs of the Danbury Music Centre.

Advance ticket purchase is recommended. Contact the DMC office.


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A Letter to the Editor in the Danbury News-Times
from Jan.1, 2010


Handel’s ‘Messiah’ deserves kudos

If you were in the vicinity of downtown Danbury at precisely 10 p.m. on Dec. 21, that loud noise you heard was the thunderous applause accompanying the standing ovation being given to the Danbury Music Centre’s annual production of ‘Messiah.’ And well deserved, it was.

The location of this year’s performance was at First Congregational Church on Deer Hill Avenue, a departure from its usual venue of St. Peter Church.

No matter ... the smaller accommodations seemed somehow to only magnify the beauty of the production. I imagined Handel himself, smiling down on all in attendance and nodding in approval at the magnificent voices and the soaring orchestral sounds.

And who better to conduct this masterpiece than Richard Price. With his baton, he brings vibrancy, emotion and great joy to the performance. It is obvious that this gifted man enjoys “Messiah” and that all those under his baton respect and admire him. Danbury is privileged to have him.

If  “Messiah” doesn’t reveal to you the true meaning of Christmas, then I don’t know what it would take. My husband and I have enjoyed attending virtually every performance over the past 30 years. It is one of the true highlights of our Christmas season.

Kudos to all — Mr. Price, the soloists, the Danbury Concert Chorus and the Baroque Chamber Orchestra. And Merry Christmas to all.

Margaret Piela
NEW MILFORD
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