Newsletter April 2003

Greetings from Sylvia

Dear Mu Phis,

For those of us who are still involved in the teaching and performing of music, April seems so close to the end of the academic year and so filled with activities that we wonder how we can possibly get everything accomplished that we must or want to do. It is important to find time for a few pleasant diversions along the way in order to keep our energy renewed.

Edie Pfautsch has resigned as Chair of the Library Concert Series. We are so indebted to her for all she has done to schedule concerts for so many years as well as the countless hours she worked with me to get the piano restored. Edie will schedule the performers for next year, as that must be done by early summer. Then someone must assume the duties of the chairman. Thank you, Edie for all your devoted years of service – not only the concert series – but the many other positions you have held in this chapter.

Like many other organizations, our alumni chapter seems to be at a crossroads. Not many people are willing to assume offices. We are all busy. It seems that In every organization, only a few members are involved in the mechanics of keeping the organization viable – holding offices. This chapter is no exception. We need more/other members to be actively involved if we are to continue to thrive. Please be willing to make a commitment of time so that we may maintain our viability and insure that we will be able to enjoy the fellowship of fellow musicians.

Please look in this newsletter for the information concerning the April and the May meetings.

This is my last message at President. It has been a busy and a rewarding time. I appreciate your contributions to the chapter and your unfailing support. I always treasure the “Music, Friends AND Harmony” of the Dallas alumni chapter.

Sylvia Taylor Lerch

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Past Meetings

February - Joint Meeting with SAI

There was a great turnout for the February meeting at the home of Judy Dardaganian.

Thanks to her and all the hostesses and performers.

The program featured:

	`Marla Maxon and Claudia Jameson, sopranos with Tena Hehn at the piano`
	`Les Amis Chamber Ensemble (Ruth Reed, violin, Gretchen Nichols, cello, Frances Estes, oboe and Pat Suitt, piano) playing music of William Grant Still (pictured here with Claudia Jameson)`
	`Karen Schoenrock and Sylvia Taylor Lerch, duo-pianists`
	`Quartet of pianists: Judy Coke, Paralee Curry, Carolyn Johnson and Elizabeth Geyer`
	`Piano quartet: Ruth Reed, violin, Nelta Owen, cello, Jane Aten, viola and Emily Harnett, piano.`

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March Meeting

Sylvia Taylor Lerch hosted the March meeting at her home. Thanks to this busy hostess and all the co-hostesses. The program featured Pat Hill and Mary Beth Johnson, duo-pianists and Mu Phi pianists playing Robert Schumann's Kinderscenen - Scenes from Childhood.

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Next Meetings

Monday April 7 at 7:30

There is a change of location for the April meeting! Rosalie is not able to host or perform for this meeting. It will be held at Pat Suitt’s house.

Performers will be the LARC Quintet, with James Lerch and Barbara Allen, violin, Sonja Ryberg, viola, Monte Knutson, cello, and Sylvia on piano. They will perform a piano quintet and a string quartet.

Co-hostees are Karen Glosserman (chair), Cathy Hargrave, Sue Johnson and Sandra McMillen (unless they have changed with someone).

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Saturday May 17 at 11 – Luncheon and program

Right now the May meeting is also scheduled for Pat Suitt’s house. If you can host this luncheon (since she is doing double duty), please let Pat know. (We will let you know if it changes.) The program will feature Mary Ann and Jerry Taylor, flute and piano; and a Piano Trio consisting of Ruth Reed, Gretchen Nichols and Dottie Howard. We are all co-hostesses, bringing our favorite salad, casserole or dessert.

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Concert Series

Our schedule for fall will be posted here as soon as it is available.

All concerts are at the J. Erik Johnsson

Central Library Auditorium

1515 Young Street, Dallas TX

Sundays at 3:00 PM

Concerts are FREE and open to the public

Please plan to attend!

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Meeting News

As District Director, Sandra McMillen has recently visited Alpha Omega at SFASU, Mu Chi at SMU, and Delta Pi at Tarleton SU. She visited Beta Mu at TAMU-Commerce and Epsilon Epsilon at TCU this past weekend.

As many of you know, Greg Hehn has been hospitalized again with diabetic problems – an infection in the bone in his foot. He is recovering from amputation of another toe and awaiting a muscle graft at home after several weeks in hospitals. He will need to stay off his feet completely. Tena says “He's feeling good and handled the 2nd Lenten breakfast from his hospital bed with his usual charm and even more efficiency than usual! Wish he'd done our income tax BEFORE he went in or set up the theory medals as he said he would do for me!” Tena manages to keep up with her hectic schedule.

As of March 10^th, Susan Poelchau’s husband had his leg put in a cast, poor fellow (poor wife, actually!).

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Chair Needed For Sunday Concert Series

If you would like to see this series continue and know lots of performers, please volunteer to do this job. Edie has already started a list of performers for next year, but will not continue as chairperson. There is lots of help from other members of the committee (who print and send publicity and letters to performers and print programs.) This is our 65th year, and without a chairperson, it will be our last. Please contact Edie if you have questions you would like answered.

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Mu Chi Recital

Karey Nash of the Mu Chi chapter has announced that the chapter will hold a recital on Sunday May 4th at 2:00 p.m. which will be open to the public. It will be held in the O'Donnell recital hall, located on the second floor (Hillcrest side of the building) of the Owens Fine Arts Center (OFAC) on the SMU campus.

There is a parking lot directly adjacent to OFAC. If the gate is up, feel free to park here. There are entrances off of Hillcrest (at the Binkley light), and off of Bishop Blvd.) If you can attend and show support for this chapter, they would appreciate it.

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May Updates

New President Elected

Cynthia Wadley has agreed to be President next year. She will represent our chapter at the International Convention. She can be reached at: danwadle@earthlink.com.

Other new officers are:

June Tighe and Sadie Rowe - Vice President

Ann Stone - Secretary

Sharon Kraus - Treasurer

Kay Newman - Historian

Pat Hill - Steward

Tennie Lengel - Chaplin

Phyllis Wilson - Chorister

The position of Program Chairperson is still unfilled. Please volunteer!

Library Concert Series

New chairpersons for the 2003-2004 series are Melanie Priest and Claudia Jameson. If you know of performers who would like to participate next season or you would like to perform, contact one of these people.

Melanie Priest: soloring@attbi.net

Claudia Jameson: cnavjameson@hotmail.com

Sick Bay

Greg Hehn has recovered enough from his foot surgery to go home from the hospital on May 29. He still needs to stay off his feet, so calls and visits are welcome.