The annual meeting and dinner of the Danbury Music Centre will take place at Two Steps Downtown Grille, 5 Ives Street in Danbury, on Thursday, June 20 at 5:30pm. The meeting is open to members of the Danbury Music Centre and the dinner is open to all.

Three special guests will be honored for service to the Danbury Music Centre. They are Albert Montecalvo for 12 years of service as music director of the Summer Band program; Ase -AmenRa Kariamu for ten years of service as the director of the Summer Afrikan Drumming Program; and Barbara A. Jaeger for five years of service as the Administrative Assistant to the executive director of the Danbury Music Centre.

For additional information and dinner reservations, contact the Danbury Music Centre.

Deming Family Scholarship

The winners of the annual Deming Family Scholarship, both from Danbury, will each be awarded $1000 scholarships. They are Nsangi Kariamu, entering her junior year at New York University majoring in Music Education and Piano; and, Jerome Burns, entering his senior year at SUNY Purchase majoring in Trumpet Performance.

Carlos Sousa, well known for his a cappella group, Men Without Instruments, has come up with a new summer program. He plans to offer a cappella training for high school age through college freshman students. The sessions will be run by the two premiere a cappella groups in the Greater Danbury area – Men Without Instruments, and the woman's equivalent, Martini Glass.

Three weeks of classes for $40 – what a bargain! Contact the DMC office for more information or to register.

Ives Day The Unanswered Question all day Sunday, Oct. 21
DSO The King of Instruments Friday, Oct. 26, 8:00pm	Recital Annual Concerto Competiton Saturday, Nov. 3, 3:00pm
DCC Songs of Love and Praise Sunday, Nov.4, 3:00pm	DCO Winter Concert Frost   Ice   Hail   Snow Sunday, Dec.2, 7:00pm
Nutcracker Ballet Friday, Dec. 7, 7:30pm Saturday, Dec. 8, 6:00pm Sunday, Dec. 9, 3:00pm	Handel's Messiah Friday, Dec. 14, 7:30pm
Recital The Danbury Trombone Outfit Saturday, Dec. 15, 8:00pm
DSO Young People's Concert Sunday, Jan. 27, 3:00pm	DCO with DPSO A Combined Concert of 100 Musicians Sunday, Mar. 3, 3:00pm
DSO Best Friends:  Brahms and Schumann Sunday, Mar. 10, 3:00pm	In Recital Alice Pantone Unschuld Sunday, Mar. 16, 8:00pm
Grand Gala Come To The Cabaret Saturday, Mar. 23, 6:30 - 11:00pm	Recital Westfield Winds Quintet Saturday, Apr. 27, 8:00pm
DCO New Horizons Sunday, May 5, 7:00pm	DCC/DSO The Bells Saturday, May 11, 8:00pm
DSO Pops CityCenter Green Saturday, June 15

A Letter to the Editor in the Danbury News-Times
from Mar. 17, 2011

Appreciates musical performance by orchestra, chorus and guests

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
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.