Newsletter Sept 2006

Welcome to a new year, new programs, more music
and new and continued friendships!

Quick Look!

Meetings	President's Letter	New Officers
Chapter News	Member News	Past Meetings
Comments on Our Chapter		Sunday Concert Series
Other Arts Events

Meetings for the Year

Meetings are on Monday evenings at 7:30 PM unless otherwise noted. If you can volunteer to perform for Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, March or April, or can offer your home for the April meeting, contact Mary Ann Taylor ASAP. Note: There is no piano at the Chimneyhill Clubhouse (Nov). REVISED 10/06:

Sat Sept 9 - 10:30 AM

Home of Pat Suitt
Program: Pat Suitt and Sylvia Taylor Lerch - duo pianists

Mon Oct 9

Home of Pat Hill
Program: Katherine Freiberger, piano - Chopin
Les Amis Ensemble

Nov 13

Chimneyhill Clubhouse, 9223 Emberglow - Mary Williams - hostess
Program: Diane Dillard, violin

Sarah Collins, clarinet

Dec 11

Home of Kay Newman
Program: Susan Poelchau and the Dallas Ensemble of

Viols will play music of John Dowland, the

English Orpheus

Feb 12

Steinway Hall, 5301 N. Central Expressway at McCommas – with SAI
Program: Vivaldi Concerto for Four Pianos
Kaleena Lourd and Meghan Gomen, flute and

harp

Mar 12

Highland Park Presbyterian Church, 3909 University Blvd 75205
Program: Sadie Rowe, organ
Sylvia Lerch, piano - Haydn Sonata

Tues Apr 10

Home of Sylvia Taylor Lerch
Program: Frances Estes, English horn and Katie

Freiberger, piano

Sat May 12 - 11 AM

Home of Edie Pfautsch
Program: Lisa Hubbard (SAI), clarinet
Mary Ann Taylor, flute and Linda Tyler, double

reeds

Susan's Song

Dear Mu Phis,

I had to write this column rather early as I have had the good fortune this summer to spend two months in Germany visiting family and friends with my husband, as well as attending two early music workshops. We will not return to Texas until September 13. Dallas Alumni Chapter is in capable hands with Mary Ann Taylor and Phyllis Wilson planning our programs for the year with the help of the membership, and I look forward to our fall activities of fellowship and excellent programs.

When deciding what you might perform for the Chapter this year, do consider performing a work by a Mu Phi composer. It¹s always wonderful to hear a composition by our own Katie Freiberger, and there may be other composers among us who have slipped my mind but not yours! As a graduate of Texas Tech, I of course “Googled” Mary Jeanne van Appledorn, my theory teacher and Mu Phi mentor back in the late 50¹s, and came up with a long list of compositions for a variety of instruments, many of which have won Mu Phi Epsilon composition awards. Perhaps some of you know of other Mu Phi composers whose works we might perform this year.

For more ideas, there is an Internet link, http://home.muphiepsilon.org/ComposersX.pdf, which will lead you to an extensive list of Mu Phi composers. Or - here's an idea - get busy and write down that piece that has simmered on your creative back burner for a while. That might be quite interesting! I promise that if any Dallas Alumni member writes a composition this year, I will set it for you on my new Finale music program!

Internet access has made life easier in other areas as well. IEB has provided a form for downloading the revised Bylaws, which will make periodic revision much easier! Several Dallas Alumni members already have copies of our Bylaws, and we now have the capability to print copies or send computer files for members who want or need to have them. The Alumni Chapter Manual should also be online by the end of the summer.

Thank you all for bearing with me this past year as I learned the ropes as President. Holding an office is not possible without the support of many who contribute their experience and creativity, and that is what makes the job fun and rewarding.

Details about the upcoming meetings and dues will be provided elsewhere in the Newsletter. Thanks again to Mary Williams for keeping us in touch through this excellent publication and website.

I am looking forward to seeing you all this fall!

Loyally,
Susan

Comments on Our Chapter

From Kurt-Alexander Zeller
International 3rd Vice President/Alumni Advisor

Thanks for the newsletter! I loved reading the article about Barbara Moore in The Triangle, and of course I was honored to have been elected to ACME myself, but I was just a little annoyed that when our new Triangle staff wrote up the articles about us, they never mentioned that I had been Mrs. Moore's student as an undergraduate at SMU--so that, really, BOTH ACME nominations for 2005 were proof of the superlative work that she does! So I wanted to make sure that at least Dallas was well aware of the whole story.

Wynona Lipsett wrote:

In going through an old issue of The TRIANGLE dated February, 1931, I came across a news item from Mu Chi. Among the various items reported is:

"On December 13 at five o'clock in McFarlin Memorial Auditorium, we held initiation service for our four talented and lovely new members: Ione Webster, Elizabeth Knox, Elizabeth Russell and Frances Deaderick (Stuart). That night we honored the initiates with a beautifully appointed banquet at the Dallas Women's Club. The place cads were little old fashioned bouquets of purple button chrysanthemums and the nut cups were baby grand pianos made of purple paper with the tiniest key-board and original (it must have been modern) composition ready to be played. The letters Mu Phi Epsilon made of mounds of purple chrysanthemums formed the centerpiece. The programs also in purple and white, were in the shape of triangles. La Rue, our capable president, was toastmistress. Bernice Darwin gave a toast to our New Sisters. Frances Deaderick gave the response. The subjects of Mu Phi and Epsilon were presented in short speeches by Edwina Gilbert, Evelyn Foreman and Cleo Frost (Furr.) La Rue Johnson played Schumann's Sonata in G Minor, and Blanche Becket, accompanied by Gladys Fried, played Sarasate's Romanza Andaluza and Jota by DeFalla. Evelyn Davis gave Chopin's Ballade in A Flat. We closed the program by singing Our Triangle."

That same TRIANGLE issue of February 1931 tells about the founding of the Dallas Alumnae Club:

"In October (1930) a group of Alumnae members met at the home of Viola Cassidy and organized the Dallas Alumnae Club. The idea was presented by La Rue Johnson, who brought the idea back with her from convention due to the interest Norma Mueller (National Alumnae Adviser) took in our having an Alumnae Club. The twenty-five members elected the following officers: president, Josephine Everett; treasurer, Frances McClellan; corresponding secretary, Rebecca McClung; recording secretary, Connie Rombert; historian and publicity, Mary McLarry Bywaters. They wish us to say for them that they are enthusiastically awaiting the coming of Norma Mueller (National President) who is to install them."

Note: the Dallas Alumni chapter was officially installed February 26, 1931.

*******************

Sometimes when we’re too busy or it seems like too much to do something for a Mu Phi project, see how our Alumni Advisor described us. What we do does matter!

From Kurt-Alexander Zeller
International 3rd Vice President/Alumni Advisor
15 July 2006
Dear Susan:

Thank you for sending your 2006 Annual Report, detailing the activities of the Dallas Alumni during the 2005-2006 program year. It is always inspiring to me to read of the many projects exemplifying our ideals of Music, Friendship, and Harmony that our Alumni Chapters across the country are carrying out in their communities.

I was glad to note that your Chapter was able to fulfill all the requirements for awards, as well as a large number of the additional goals for Chapter activities. Your programming looks excellent, with multi-cultural and North American music well represented—and I’d certainly have liked to hear Mrs. Moore’s performance! We appreciate very much your financial philanthropy in support of the Mu Phi Epsilon Foundation, our board’s efforts to eliminate the Fraternity’s debt, and the students at SMU and other musicians in your community. Best of all, perhaps, was that you added 2 new members this year—congratulations to them and to you!

Your community service project of the concert series at the Dallas Public Library continues going strong; it’s one of the crown jewels of Mu Phi Epsilon activities in local communities and apparently had another outstanding year, offering patrons a varied group of wonderful programs. And your Chapter also posted an impressive 3,013 hours of SERV volunteer work, beautifully demonstrating our Fraternal value of service to others through music.

All in all, Dallas Alumni had a wonderful year, and I would like to thank you, Susan, for your leadership as president and to wish you and all the Dallas Alumni an even better year in 2006-2007!

Loyally,
Kurt-Alexander Zeller

Chapter News

Vote on National Convention Options

Our members voted (without discussion, by e-mail and phone) on options presented by International to save money for the next convention: 8 voted to postpone the convention by one year; 3 voted to hold the convention in Jacksonville, FL at the normal time (2007) and 4 voted to hold the convention in Kansas City at the normal time). Sandra McMillen, Wynona Lipsett and Tena Hehn offered comments at the May meeting supporting holding the convention in the regular year so that national officers could be elected and District Directors could be trained. Other members expressed concern about the organization being fiscally responsible and supported suggestions on new ways to finance conventions.

Music Therapy Award

Our chapter gave this award at the spring SMU program to Elizabeth Beathard.

SERV

Sandra McMillen reminds us to record our SERV hours we’ve done since May to help get started on our next SERV report!

Dues

If you have not paid your dues for this year, Sharon Kraus needs them by Sept 11th. Dues are $82 for non-life Triangle, $72 for life Triangle and $25 for Patrons.

Helen Haupt Grant

This grant is available to help with chapter projects. Susan will pursue this to help our chapter pay for repairs to the piano for our Library Concert Series.

Newsletter

Please let Mary Williams know what you are doing so we can all keep in touch. Next newsletter deadline is October 20th for our November newsletter. If you can receive your newsletter by e-mail, let Mary know so the chapter can save a little money on printing and postage (and photos are in color!).

Library Concert Series

Claudia Jameson has announced our fall series. See the Concerts page. If you, your group or performers you recommend would like to perform on the spring series, please contact Claudia Jameson or e-mail her at cnavjameson@hotmail.com.

If you can volunteer to introduce one of these concerts (arrive half hour early), please contact Claudia.

Claudia will be resigning this chairmanship at the end of this year and we will need a replacement if we want to continue this series. Duties are to book performers for the year and to be at the library on Sundays (for at least some of the concerts) to put up and take down our poster, pass out programs and introduce the performers. A committee takes care of publicity and programs associated with the concerts. Contact Claudia for more information or to volunteer.

Member News

Welcome to new members to our chapter, but long-time Mu Phis – Bettye Pierce Zoller Seitz - voice teacher
and
Barbara Hill-Moore - on the voice faculty of the SMU School of the Arts.

Melanie Priest has moved to Bedford.

Please contact the president or webmaster for contact information for these people.

Katherine Freiberger has been on the Conductor Search Committee for Music in the Mountains Festival in Durango, including a drive to Albuquerque and interviewing a conductor candidate there, then attending the symphony where he conducted. She was also on a committee in February that put together a benefit performance for the Conservatory Music in the Mountains, and on another committee for a benefit performance at her house in July for Music in the Mountains. She managed to fit in practicing and a performance at the Musical Arts Club in May.

Mary Williams was the Exchange Director for the Friendship Force of Dallas for an exchange in Zagreb, Croatia in May and June. The week included being hosted by Zagreb members in their homes, seeing the city and surrounding area, and great dining. She preceded the exchange with a week’s tour on the Croatian coast and Slovenia, and followed it with a visit to friends in Germany.

After a lengthy time, Sharon Krause's mother, Mary Sue Singletary, passed away. Our condolences to Sharon.

Tena Hehn’s husband, Greg, is back at Charleton Methodist Hospital's ICU with fluid in his lungs and breathing problems. Tena is also having surgery this week. UPDATE: Greg died and his memorial service was held on Sept 24. Our condolences to Tena.

Bettye Zoller Seitz attended the 100th anniversary of her alma mater - the University of Missouri in Kansas City - and the program announcing a scholarship in honor of her mother, Hazel Volkart.

Past Meetings

April Meeting

Meghan Gomen and Kaleena Loard played six Irish pieces on harp and flute.

Note: Meghan and Kaleena are available to play at parties.

Cherie Bell sang several lilting pop songs and her accompanist Mark Meadows, from the Booker T. Washington High School, also played some jazz for us.

Professor Dr. Barbara Hill Moore and her graduate student from S. Africa – Thandul Wazi Ncube - performed several beautiful arias, accompanied by Hank Hammett of the SMU piano faculty.

Co-hostesses were Mary Williams, Anne Stone, Joann Turrentine, Ellen Stamelos and Susan Poelchau.

May Meeting

At our May pot luck luncheon at the Library, Wynona Lipsett performed the installation of officers.

Performers included Leslie King, Soprano accompanied by Jerry Taylor.

Sylvia Taylor Lerch told us interesting facts about Mozart’s life.

A basically Les Amis quintet performed: Gretchen Nichols, Ruth Reed, Pat Suitt, Frances Estes and Mary Ann Taylor.

After the meeting, some of us visited Frances Stuart. She was awarded the Mu Phi Epsilon Presidential Award of Excellence “to honor your eighty years as a pianist and educator as well as to honor your significant and enduring contributions in music. Awarded on your 80th anniversary of teaching.”