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It's the new season: 2011 – 2012 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. DMC News
Danbury Concert Chorus Music Director and Conductor 
Following a year-long search, Christine R. Howlett has been named the Music Director and Conductor of the Danbury Concert Chorus. She will lead the 85-voice, non-auditioned chorus in three major performances each season, including the annual, popular performance of Handel's Messiah. The Danbury Concert Chorus, founded in the early 1920s, came under the auspices of the Danbury Music Centre in 1935. Except for a brief pause during World War II, this chorus has been in continual existence since its founding. Ms. Howlett's first concert as Music Director and Conductor of the Danbury Concert Chorus will take place on November 12, 2011 and include Pinkham's Christmas Cantata. The first rehearsal for that concert will be Tuesday, September 13, at 7:30pm at the Danbury Music Centre. The chorus will also perform with members of the Danbury Symphony Orchestra in Händel's Messiah on December 16. The final concert of the season, with the Danbury Symphony Orchestra, will be on May 12 and include Poulenc's Gloria and Faure's Requiem. The Danbury Concert Chorus rehearses Tuesday evenings and welcomes new members. For additional information, contact the Danbury Music Centre.
Arthur WeekWednesday, January 25th and Sunday, January 29thArthur Fredric is going to have a lot of fun this week, and I hope you will participate. On Wednesday, Jan. 25th, at Two Steps Downtown Restaurant and Grille (5 Ives Street in Danbury), we invite you to dine and drink anytime between 6pm - 9pm when Arthur will serve as a celebrity bartender. This family friendly event is appropriate for all ages and nonalcoholic beverages, such as those listed below, will be in ample supply. (And I'll bet that Arthur could be coerced into adding a bit of the strong stuff for those of us who are 21 and older). Two Steps is generously donating all bar tips as well as 10% of each bill from the full dinner menu to the Danbury Music Centre. There will be music and lots of fun especially since many Nutcracker families are expected to attend. Tip Arthur frequently and tip him well because all those tips will go back to the Danbury Music Centre to benefit its programs. Here is a sample list of drinks. Think up a few more and test Arthur's bar tending skills! All drinks come in two flavors - alcoholic and non-alcoholic. :-)
As if that were not enough excitement for Arthur - on Sunday, Jan. 29th at 3pm, he will narrate the Danbury Music Centre's annual Young People's Concert taking place at Ives Concert Hall on the mid-town campus of Western Conn. State University at 181 White Street. The Danbury Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Ariel Rudiakov (yes, the same wonderful conductor who led the Nutcracker orchestra) will perform a thrilling concert entitled "The Thrill of the Orchestra." All kids and adults are guaranteed to have fun at this admission free concert. In addition to the title piece, members of the audience will be invited to participate with the orchestra in the "Toy Symphony." And for a special treat, the winner of the annual Student Concerto Competition, violinist Anastasia Dolak, a senior at New Fairfield High School, will perform a movement from Lalo's "Symphonie Espagnole." There are lots of fireworks in that piece and Nutcracker dancers will identify with Anastasia as she wows them with her violin playing skills. Nancy F. SudikExecutive Director
Concerts
Concerto CompetitonStudent Concerto Competition Finalists. . . and the winner is!  from left to right: Stephen Michael Smith, Richard Huffman, Julian Shively, Anastasia Dolak, and Ariel Rudiakov
The Danbury Music Centre presented the tenth annual student concerto competition on Saturday, November 5, at 3pm, in the Marian Anderson Recital Hall at the Danbury Music Centre. The 3rd place winner was Julian Shively and the 2nd place winner was Richard Huffman. Coming in first place was Anastasia Dolak, a Violinist from New Fairfield, who played Lalo's Symphonie Espagnol. Anastasia will perform this piece with the Danbury Symphony Orchestra on January 29, 2012. The competition of the finalists featured the following student musicians:
Ariel Rudiakov, Music Director and Conductor of the Danbury Symphony Orchestra, and Stephen Michael Smith, Music Director and Conductor of the Danbury Community Orchestra adjudicated.
A Letter to the Editor in the Danbury News-Times The obvious enthusiasm and skill of the orchestra and chorale in response to their leaders was perfect. There was also a special performance by the emeritus director of the symphony, James Humphreville, and African drummer Ase-AmenRa Kariamu, which added to the enjoyment of the afternoon. Our community is fortunate to have this outstanding group of artists perform several times a year. There is no charge to attend the performances and donations are accepted. Kudos to all and thank you. Judy Dougherty Newtown A Letter to the Editor in the Danbury News-Times 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 PielaNEW MILFORD
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