Mu Phi Epsilon receives award

The New Philharmonic Orchestra of Irving presented its first "Grace Note" awards October 4, 3:30 pm at the opening concert in their Sundays at the Symphony series in the Irving Arts Center, 3333 North MacArthur. Five organizations will be honored.

"We want to recognize some of the creative efforts in north Texas to build an audience for great music," the orchestra's president, Gretchen Cabrera, explains.

Grace notes are the small, extra notes that make music more beautiful in classical scores, she says. "Our awards recognize these extra efforts that help create the audiences for our music."

The 2009 honorees include:

"Every musician knows that it's the audience that creates the excitement in a concert," the New Philharmonic¹s president explains. "We want to honor our audiences."

Members of the Grace Note Award-winning groups were honored at a reception during the October 4 concert. 

Receiving the awards were Gae Hatton, executive director of the Fine Arts Chamber Players; Gigi Antoni, president/executive director of Big Thought, for their "Thriving Minds" program; Pat Hill of Friends of WRR; Angela Pendleton, president, Sigma Alpha Iota; and Susan Poelchau, Dallas Public Library concert series chair for Mu Phi Epsilon.

Also recognized during the Grace Note Awards ceremony were eight other music groups in the north Texas area nominated for the award: The Wagner Society, The Puccini Society, Music Study Club, Melodie Club, Pro Musica, Musical Arts, Van Katwijk Club and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.

Sponsors and in-kind contributors include the City of Irving through the Irving Arts Board, Irving Arts Center, Texas Commission for the Arts, National Endowment for the Arts, WRR 101.1, NorthLake College, LMP Specialties and The Communications Department, Inc.

The concert was held at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, October 4, in Carpenter Auditorium at the Irving Arts Center,3333 North MacArthur - about a mile north of Highway 183, and a mile south of NorthLake College. The Grace Note Awards were presented just after intermission.

North Texas Music meeting

North Texas Music meetings provide an opportunity for area musicians and music organizations to cooperate, communicate, and share resources. Everyone is welcome. Tina Murdock, music librarian at the Dallas Public Library, announced the next meeting of the group.

Topics and Speakers
Managing music organizations can be a difficult undertaking, even in the best of circumstances. In economically challenging times such as these, the task can be formidable. This meeting will address two of the topics most often of concern and interest to musicians and support staff charged with keeping music organizations operating in our uncertain financial environment.

First, in a climate where entertainment options seem unlimited, but the time and money most people have to spend on the arts may be more limited than ever, how can music organizations capture public attention to build audiences, encourage donor contributions, and promote awareness of all the musical and educational programs their institutions offer? What strategies have proven most effective over time, which can be undertaken by staff on a limited budget, and when should an organization hire a professional marketing representative? What new technologies really are improving marketing efforts, and which might require more time or financial commitment than may be cost-efficient?

Second, when expenses often seem to exceed income, how can your organization avoid the financial crises that are causing so many arts organizations to close their doors? What management practices can bring greater efficiencies to your operations? Would merger with another organization help both groups survive? What are the legal implications for such a choice? What risks are involved? Are there partnership possibilities that can give two organizations the strengths a merger might bring, but let both groups maintain their separate identities?

Experienced and knowledgeable speakers to help us explore these important topics. Time and places are arranged throughout the year at the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX 75201.
Please visit: http://ntxmusic.eventbrite.com

As always, please feel free to forward this information to others you think may be interested. 

Tina Murdock, Music Librarian
Dallas Public Library, Fine Arts Division
1515 Young Street
Dallas, TX 75201
214-671-8337
214-670-1646 (fax) 
tina.murdock@dallaslibrary.org

Sept 25: Notes Available from North Texas Music Meeting

Looking for a volunteer opportunity? The Irving Symphony Orchestra is rolling out a new volunteer initiative that you may enjoy. Not only are individuals able to earn discounted or free tickets and recognition, but if five or more members of Mu Phi Epsilon volunteer together for a special event, they will provide valuable public acknowledgement of our organization for your service! 

The Irving Symphony Orchestra is a different symphony for a different audience. In its metamorphic 09|10 season, we will be the first professional symphony in the Southern United States to devote the entire season to the interdisciplinary staging of symphonic works. They will also be producing an annual FREE “Concerts 4 Kids”  designed to engage, educate, and inspire every 5th and 7th grade student in the Irving ISD, representing approximately 5,700 students. To learn more about the ISO, education programs and their signature musical experiences, please take a look at the ISO website at www.irvingsymphony.com.

Interesting Music Websites

http://www.wnyc.org/shows/radiolab/episodes/2006/04/21

See video on the new Performing Arts Center!

Electronic mail

President/ General Information - Patricia HIll  pattylou915@yahoo.com

Mary Williams: txtravel@flash.net