Meetings

September

We met at the Chimneyhill Clubhouse for lunch and presentation on the Convention. Mary Williams was hostess and presenter of a PowerPoint presentation showing scenes from Rochester, various speakers and presenters and delegates to the 20211 Convention. Jenny Smith set the tone for our new year with suggestions for goals from the members. A great potluck lunch followed.           

Tena Hehn, Mary Williams  

October
At the October meeting, we “Learned About Liszt” from Dr. Alex McDonald, who has just completed his PhD at Julliard. He has performed across the United States as well as in Israel, Canada, Japan, and South Korea; additionally, he has been a featured performer on PBS, WRR, NPR, and WQXR. Awards and fellowships include second prize at the 2007 New Orleans International Piano Competition and second prize at the 2001 Gina Bachauer International Young Artist Piano Competition.

Dr. McDonald currently serves as adjunct faculty for piano at Richland College and has previously served as adjunct faculty at the Juilliard School. Dr. McDonald received his pre-college training under Lois Nielson, his bachelor’s degree from the New England Conservatory with Academic Honors and Distinction in Performance under Russell Sherman, and his master’s and doctoral degrees from Juilliard under Yoheved Kaplinsky and Julian Martin. His doctoral document, a source study on manuscripts and editions for Liszt’s Sonata in B Minor, has been cited in the most recent edition of the sonata by Alfred Publishers, edited by Nancy Bricard. 

He gave a lively talk on his recent experience in performing in earthquake-torn Japan and about his dissertation work comparing performing editions of Liszt. He then pointed out programmatical and theoretical aspects of the Liszt B minor Sonata and treated us to a brilliant and exciting performance of this work.

Thanks to Sylvia Taylor Lerch who hosted the meeting and assistants Sandra McMillen and Tena Hehn.

November
Tuesday, Nov 8 - 7:30 pm
Program: Music Therapy As I Know It
Location: Home of Pat Suitt
Program: Alyson Ryall, Mu Chi Music therapy Scholarship winner
Founders Day Ceremony 
Co-hosts: Cherie Bell, Claudia Jameson, Frances Pearson, Bettye Seitz

We will not meet over the holiday season, and will resume with our joint meeting with SAI on Monday February 20th at 7 pm (note this earlier time!). It will be held at Highland Park United Methodist Church.

Contact Tena Hehn if you could perform representing our Mu Phi chapter.

Cynthia Wadley had a stroke last week while visiting her son in Arlington. Transported first to an Arlington Hospital, she was transferred later to Baylor where her regular doctors were located. She was moved to Baylor Rehab last Monday. Her daughter lives in College Station and has not responded to an e-mail asking for more information. Earlier she said she doubted that Cynthia would be able to return to her house as all the bedrooms and bathrooms are upstairs. She will need assistance, possibly in an assisted living facility. Cards sent to the house would be welcome. 

Judy Dardaganian reported back problems, and Sadie Rowe can't drive at night and must get a ride to night meetings. If you are in her neighborhood (Travis St.), offer her a ride.

Tena Hehn will perform in a recital on Nov 27th. Hopefully some of us can make a short trip to Waxahachie south of us to hear her.

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BACK by popular demand!
FREE ADVENT and CHRISTMAS
PIANO/ORGAN MUSIC RECITAL part 3

Sunday, NOVEMBER 27, 2011 - 4:00 P.M.
CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 402 N. College St.
WAXAHACHIE

presented by
RANDY AREY, organist and
TENA HEHN, pianist
Reception follows in the church parlor

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We are sorry to hear of the death of Edie Pfautsch, long time Mu Phi member from our chapter who has lived in Ithaca for the past year. Our condolences to her family. She will be missed by many. 

Tina Murdock of the Dallas Public Library sent this notice to her mailing list. “It's a sad day for Dallas musicians. In addition to the news earlier about Blodwen Henry, I've just learned that Edie Pfautsch passed away a few days ago. Edie was the widow of noted composer and retired SMU music professor Lloyd Pfautsch, who died in 2003. She was also a very organized, talented, sweet, and generous lady, who for many years coordinated our Sunday Afternoon Concert series, sponsored jointly by Mu Phi Epsilon and the library's Fine Arts Division. Today's Dallas Morning News obituary gives an idea of all the contributions Edie made to local arts. We'll miss her very much.”

From the Dallas Morning News, October 19, 2011

Edith Pfautsch, of 103 Bundy Road in Ithaca, NY died peacefully at her home on Tuesday, October 25th, after an illness. Edith Lucille Herseth, "Edie," was born December 10, 1922, in Hitterdal, Minnesota, to Cora Sylvester Herseth and Adolph Herseth, both of Norwegian descent. The family moved to Bertha, Minnesota, when she was six, where her father became Superintendent of Schools. Edie, known as "Lu" then, excelled in music and graduated salutatorian from high school. After graduating from Concordia College in Moorhead with honors in Home Economics and Music (Voice), Edie taught high school for a year, then moved to New York City to pursue vocal studies. There she met and married Lloyd Pfautsch when they were both chosen to sing in the NBC Radio Symphony Chorus under Arturo Toscanini. Their daughter Deborah was born while Lloyd finished graduate studies at Union Theological Seminary. He then accepted a teaching position at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, where three sons Eric, Peter and Jonathan were born and Edie devoted herself to raising a family. In 1959 Lloyd accepted a position on the faculty of Southern Methodist University and the family moved to Dallas, Texas. Edie and Lloyd soon became a prominent couple in the Dallas musical world. Edie was active as a singer/soloist with the Dallas Civic Chorus (which Lloyd founded and conducted), the Musical Arts Club, and the Mu Phi Epsilon Music Sorority, receiving a national award for a concert series she administered for many years. Her talents and interests were varied: she taught kindergarten for 15 years, worked with Amnesty International and the Dallas Area Council of Churches, and became a master weaver as a member of the Dallas Weavers Guild. She excelled at every craft she tried. She will be remembered by all who knew her as a gracious and vivacious hostess and gourmet cook. She played a vital role assisting Lloyd in his work as a composer, and performed several solo works he composed for her beautiful alto voice. In later years the couple traveled extensively in Europe and the Far East and spent much time with their four beloved grandchildren. For many years they were members of the King of Glory Lutheran Church in Dallas. In 2010 Edie moved to Ithaca, New York, to be near her daughter's family. Edith was predeceased by her husband Lloyd (2003) and her sisters Agnes Carlson and Ruth Rostad. She is survived by brothers Adolph "Bud" Herseth (Avis) of Oak Park, IL, and John Herseth of Bellingham, WA, daughter Deborah (Richard Figiel) of Trumansburg, NY, sons Jonathan of Fairfax, VA, Eric (Pamela) of Sioux City, IA, and Peter of Dallas; grandchildren Shawn Pfautsch, Elsa Pfautsch Halifax (Michael), Evan Figiel, and Katharine Pfautsch; great-grandchildren Carter and Abigail Halifax and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. A memorial service to honor Edie's life will be scheduled and announced at a later date in Dallas. Contributions may be made in her name to Hospicare of Tompkins County, 172 E. King Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Ness-Sibley Funeral Home, 23 South St., Trumansburg. 1-888-534-5446. www.ness-sibley.com.

Electronic mail

President/ General Information - Jenny Smith: jenny.musicalscientist@gmail.com

Mary Williams: mwilliamstxtravel@yahoo.com