Scott's Mom

Wanted to let you know that Scott's mother had a stroke today and was admitted to RMH.  She has some partial paralysis on her right side and is not able to walk.  Scott asked that I share this with the chorus and he would appreciate all prayers. Will let you know if I hear anything else.  Scott has some friends and church members with him at the hospital.

News from Ramona

I will be typing official minutes of the annual meeting in the near future, but wanted to provide a few highlights.

We passed the budget that was sent out on Monday by e-mail.  We have our work cut out for us as our balance is very low right now, but we are optimistic that we can raise the needed funds to keep our organization healthy and strong. Please watch for opportunities to participate in this process.

Karen and Steve Van Stee have offered a very important challenge.  They are generously pledging $1,000 to MWC to help with summer finances and 2017-18 start-up budget, and are challenging members of the chorus to matchthis amount.  This does not mean that you have to give $1,000 individually, but if you can give something or ask someone else to give something, we will attempt to raise $1,000 collectively.  Checks can be made payable to Masterworks Chorus and mailed to P.O. Box 752, Woodstock, VA.  I will ask the treasurer(s) to inform me of the donations coming in so I can send you a running total of our results. By the way, we raised $175 at the Silent Auction.

The following slate of officers was elected to take office July 1, 2017:

President--Karen Van Stee

President-Elect--Vacant

Vice-President--Julie Moomaw

Secretary--Sue Dietz

Co-Treasurers--Dee Black and Remy Pangle

Members at Large--Denise Brownlee, Ellie Haun, and Melisa Thomas

You will notice that the office of Pres.-Elect is vacant as Robb Cypher withdrew his name from the nomination.  We are now in need of a Pres. Elect. Please see the description below: 

The President-Elect shall work closely with the President in preparation for assuming the duties of the President toward the end of his/her term. The President-Elect shall direct his/her creativity toward the long-range goals of the organization and the role of the Chorus in the surrounding communities. The President-Elect should keep a close ear to the concerns of the membership and assist the President in maintaining open communication within the organization.

The "old" and "new" Board will have a retreat on Sat. July 8 from 9 to 3 at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church at Basye.  All chorus members are invited to attend.  We will look at by-laws, handbook, and long-range goals. Please bring your ideas and food for a pot-luck lunch.

We will again participate in the Shenandoah County Yard Crawl on Saturday, August 12.  We have two outdoor spaces reserved at Manor Memorial UM Church in New Market.  We will need lots and lots of donations--good condition items (no clothing please) and lots of help.  We will likely set up on Friday evening and sell on Sat. More info forthcoming. Save the date!

Yard Crawl

We have 2 spaces reserved at Manor Memorial UMC in New Market on August 12.
Start saving treasures for the Yard Crawl!
We'll also offer some drinks and snacks.

Annual Meeting Silent Auction

 

From Ramona: 

I am still waiting to hear from several folks concerning the annual meeting on June 5.  If you don't think you've responded yet, please let me know whether or not you plan to attend and if you will bring a guest.  We need to have a quorum to conduct our business.  

 

This is a very short notice, and I apologize for that, but the thought occured to me just a few days ago that perhaps we could have a simple silent auction in conjunction with the annual meeting. One member mentioned to me on the drive back from Sunnyside that she had purchased a very delicious quart of soup at an auction our chorus held years ago, and that led to the idea that we could boost our treasury in this manner. So, put on your thinking cap and look for things that you might be able to furnish--white elephant items and other treasures, canned products, baked goods, MWC merchandise, and the list goes on.  If you have something you wish to donate, but don't plan to attend the meeting, let me know and I can arrange to pick it up.  Again, since this is short notice, please don't stress over this if you have nothing to bring.  Just be sure to bring your wallet.

Delores Dyer 's address

 Delores Dyer is at Dutch Haven Assisted Living Center, 257 Toll House Rd., Maurertown, VA  22644.  Her sister Sylvia's funeral is May 27.

A Note from Tim Keck

I was happy to contribute a modest amount (and only a modest amount this time) to the program.  Which, by the way, was fabulous.  I have never heard the chorus sound better--balance, dynamics, enthusiasm, and simply musicianship..  And the program was a delightful mix of the spoken word and a thoughtfully varied musical program.  The audience Sunday (including my wife and I) was thrilled; I'm sure you all could feel that.

Cards for Leo Snarr update

Leo Snarr (husband of Mary Sue, a long time member of Masterworks) is at Consulate Health Care recovering from open heart surgery.  It would be great if we sent get well cards to him:

Leo Snarr
Consulate Health Care
room 219
803 S. Main St.
Woodstock, VA 22664

Nominations complete

Here is our slate of officers for the annual meeting on June 5:

Pres. :                   Karen Van Stee

Pres.-elect:           Robb Cypher

Vice Pres.:            Julie Moomaw

Sec.:                      Susan Dietz

Co-Treasurers:      Remy Pangle and Dee Black

Members at large: Ellie Haun, Melisa Thomas and Denise Brownlee


There can be other nominations made from the floor at the meeting.

Important notes from Ramona for Friday, Saturday and Sunday

First Important Thing:
Dress rehearsal at Emanuel Lutheran in Woodstock to be held Friday, May 12.  Please note the times for various groups (slight change in time for the men's rehearsal and Java Jive folks).  Everyone rehearses from 7:00 to 9:00.  Men please plan to stay after 9:00 for rehearsal of My Girl. 
6:30 - Love Will Be Our Home
6:40 - The Rose (ladies)
6:50/6:55 - Java Jive
After 9:00 - My Girl (men)

Second Important Thing
Margaret asked that I send out an email asking the chorus to please bring all raffle money, unused tickets, and tickets stubs tomorrow night unless you are pretty sure you have a sale for them. She would like them turned in before practice and in envelopes please with names on them. She needs to wrap this up, however she doesn't want to keep anyone from making a sale they think they may be able to make.
Can't believe the drawing is coming up Saturday!!

Third Important Thing
Call time for Saturday and Sunday concerts is 1:30 p.m.  Call time for Sunnyside concert on Monday is 5:30 p.m. if possible.  Concert is at 7 p.m. and we will need to get oriented.

Fourth Important Thing
Directions to Sunnyside and information about parking are on the blog; however I will print them below as well.

From I-81, take Exit 247--Rt. 33 East.  Travel 2.3 miles.  At traffic light, make a right onto Rt. 687--Massanetta Springs Rd. There is a 7-11 on corner as you make the turn. Travel .8 mile (past Preston Lake and Massanetta Springs Resort) to Sunnyside.  Turn left at the entrance onto Sunnyside Drive. Continue on Sunnyside Dr. to the first big building on your left.  (Please disregard the sign that tells you to turn left for deliveries, ambulances and Bethesda Theatre as this will take you to the back of the building where there is little to no parking).  Watch for Eiland Center and Corson Lobby (marked by a large green awning).  This is the entrance to the building. There is a parking lot on the left just before you get to this entrance and there are parking lots to the right.  If they look full, just keep driving up Sunnyside Dr. and there will be more parking (you might have to walk a ways).
Once you make it to the entrance of the building, walk into Corson Lobby, and hopefully someone will be at the reception desk to help direct you to the theater.  If there is no one available, walk down a long hall (there is a chapel on the left and restrooms which you might want to visit) to the elevator (on right).  Go to second floor and follow arrows to Bethesda Theatre.  Don't worry if you feel like you don't know where you are going--it is a bit of a maze.  There are a couple of restrooms upstairs as well, but these are one-seaters. 
If anyone wants to follow me, let me know.     Ramona

Directions to Sunnyside

To Sunnyside (3935 Sunnyside Drive, Suite A, Harrisonburg, VA 22801)

From I-81 Take Exit 247 A onto Route 33 East

Travel 2.3 miles

At traffic light, make a RIGHT onto Rte 687 (Massanetta Springs Road)

Travel 0.8 miles to Sunnyside

The entrance will be on your left, marked by a sign.

Turn left into this first entrance onto Sunnyside Drive.

Continue on Sunnyside Drive (please disregard the sign that tells you to turn left for Deliveries, Ambulances and Bethesda Theatre- this will take you to the back side of the building where there is little to no parking. Continue to drive past this sign telling you to turn)

As you continue on Sunnyside Drive there will be a parking lot on your left (there are two signs- one says Eiland Center the other says Visitors) as well as a parking lot on your right.

You can park in either of these parking lots. 

From the parking lots you will want to walk up the sidewalk to the CORSON LOBBY.  The Corson Lobby is marked by a large green awning. 

Once you enter the Corson Lobby, the receptionist will be able to direct you to the Theatre.

DRESS REHEARSALS AND CONCERT CALL TIMES

DRESS REHEARSALS

Monday, May 8:  7 - 9 at Reformation

Friday, May 12: 7 - 9 at Emanuel


CONCERT CALL TIMES

Saturday, May 13: 1:30 at Emanuel/concert at 3
                 
                               Reception 5 - 7 at the old Woodstock Courthouse

Sunday, May 14: 1:30 at Reformation/concert at 3

Monday, May 15: 5:30 at the Bethesda Theatre at Sunnyside/concert at 7

May 1 rehearsal

I think we forgot to remind everyone of this, but rehearsal on Monday (May 1) will be held at Reformation Lutheran Church in New Market.  Ladies are asked to be there by 6:30 p.m., and gentlemen by 6:55 p.m. Does everyone know where this church is located? (9283 N. Congress St.: coming from the north- it's the big brick church on the right,  after the traffic light at the intersection with  Rt.29-211; coming from the south, it's on the left just past Manor Memorial on the right) 

Scott would like for you to be on the look out for an e-mail from him tomorrow (Friday) regarding solos, program order, and protocol for Monday night. 

A Note from Ramona

 

Wow!  I just received a copy of the special (NVD) newspaper ENJOY!:Shenandoah County Living in the mail (addressed to Postal Patron).  If you live in Shenandoah County and received a copy of this paper, please check out page A3.  What a wonderful (full page) article submitted by Laurie Munk highlighting Masterworks Chorus' upcoming spring concert and the background of some our song selections!  I will save my paper for those who don't receive a copy, and I hope that others will do the same. Laurie and Denise are doing a fabulous job with publicity for Masterworks Chorus. 

Annual Meeting

SAVE THE DATE!
Our annual meeting will be Monday, June 5, at St. Mary's Pine Church.
We will have dinner (pot luck) starting at 6:00 p.m., followed by the meeting.
IMPORTANT: We will be electing board members for the next year and discussing the  challenges we face as a chorus.

Pres.                  KarenVan Stee

Pres.-elect         Robb Cypher

Vice-Pres.         Julie Moomaw

Sec.                   Susan Dietz

Treas.                            ?

Members at large: Melisa Thomas, Ellie Haun, Denise Brownlee

1. Membership—numbers continue to decrease, and of special impact is the few men in our chorus
   a. Ideas for recruiting are needed--numbers affect income and there is a need for “new blood.”
   b. What type of choir do we wish to have? Do we seek more men or should we make MWC a women’s only chorus?
   
2. Funding—we are struggling to keep up with financial obligations; due to a variety of factors, income has decreased over a period of time
   a. How can we secure additional funding sources?
   b. Do we need to cut back on our expenses, one idea being to sing only one season (Christmas)? 
   

Openings on 2017-18 slate of officers

Rory is considering being secretary, but

WE STILL NEED A TREASURER!!!!!!!!

Ladies: possible solo or duet

Check out the video of "Love will be our home" on the blog

Monday, April 10

Rehearsal at Emanuel Lutheran

Arrive by 6:55 and be ready to rehearse at 7.

If you have raffle ticket money and stubs to turn into Margaret Figgins, do this ahead of rehearsal.

April 3 Rehearsal in WOODSTOCK

6:30 - 7  Men

7-8:30   All

8:30       Board Meeting

Thank you, Dee Black

Many thanks to Dee for a great rehearsal last night! We're so lucky to have you!😄

Mar. 27 rehearsal

At Manor Memorial

6:30 - 8:30 women

7:30 - 9:30  men

March/April Rehearsals

Hope you are starting to thaw out from the snow and really cold weather!  Scott asked me to clarify rehearsal dates and times for the next few weeks.

  

Monday, March 20--6:30-8:30 Ladies; 7:30-9:30 Men--New Market

Monday March 27--6:30-8:30 Ladies or Men; 7:30-9:30 Men or Ladies (Scott will let us know)--New Market

Monday, April 3--regular rehearsal back in Woodstock

Monday, April 10--make up rehearsal (This is the only extra rehearsal scheduled at this point)

Monday, March 20

Margaret asked for all gift cards to be turned in by this Monday. Tickets go to press Tuesday and she needs to know the total before then.

Rehearsal at Manor Memorial, New Market

Women 6:30 - 8:30

Men      7:30 - 9:30

REHEARSAL CANCELLED

SCOTT HAS DECIDED TO CANCEL TONIGHT'S REHEARSAL : " It looks like that if it has not begun snowing at the beginning of our rehearsal, it is definitely snowing at the end.  Considering the distance that many are driving, I think it's fine to cancel now.  We need to be preparing our homes (and hearts, and hot chocolate) for a winter evening/night
 at home. "

Important notes for Monday, Mar.13

Please see important message below from Karen Van Stee regarding yellow cards in donor letters. See you Monday at 6:55 p.m. in New Market.  

Please check e-mail if you can by 2 p.m. in case there are weather-related concerns. 
Ramona

For all Masterworks members who took donor letters home on Monday:

Julie has found that the yellow cards in her envelopes say "2016 Christmas Season" rather than "2017 Spring Season" like they should.  I may have printed the wrong file on some of these.  If yours are like this, please correct them by hand if you want to send them out now.  Otherwise I will have new cards available this coming Monday.

Thanks, and Blessings+

Karen Van Stee

Monday, March 6

Don't forget that Monday's MWC rehearsal will be held at Manor Memorial UM Church on Main St. in New Market.  Plan to arrive by 6:55 p.m. All March rehearsals will be held at this location.

Please remember to bring your gift card(s) or certificate(s) for our spring raffle.  It is very important that we each try to make this a success.  We will also be sending out donor letters, so please be thinking of individuals or businesses you can contact (different from the ones sent in the fall).

 We still need to raise about $5000 in the category of donations (individual/business).  This includes business ads for the program.  We raised over $600 from our Yard Sale in August, and still need to raise a little over $2,000 in order to meet our goals. 

Thanks so much for your talent and commitment to Masterworks Chorus!!!

Notes for Monday, Feb. 27 rehearsal

The women will not be singing "Music in My Mother's House".

Extra rehearsals proposed:
             Men  7-9 p.m. Friday Mar.10, New Market
             Women 7-9 p.m. Friday Mar. 31
                in either Woodstock or new Market

Solo auditions:
                All My Trials, pp.3-4
                Down to the Water to Pray, 
                     male or female, 
                     m. 8-16; 59-67
                The Gift of Love, female(s) pp.4-7
               * Prepare Ye: soloists will be chosen
               * Summertime: Gina Cypher solo
                       
MEMORIZE :
                Hamba Nahti
                The Impossible Dream, p.10, m. 58-end
                Siyahamba
                The Storm is Passing Over, p. 3, 
                                          possibly pp. 4-5

Rehearsal cancelled Feb. 13

We have cancelled tonight's rehearsal, and will announce make-up rehearsals later. See you on the 20th!

Rehearsal Feb.13

If you have not yet turned in Down in the River to Pray and Earth Song, please do that Monday evening (and please remove pencil marks).  If these are not returned by Monday, there will be a charge for them.  

Please try to arrive by 6:55 p.m. so we can start rehearsing at 7 p.m. sharp (not flat).  

.

Changes in music

    Scott is dropping "Earth Song"  and
                              
                              
                 keeping "Impossible Dream," 
                               "Gift of Love," and 
                               "The Storm is Coming," and 
             
             
                 adding "Alexander's Rag Time Band," 
                              "All My Trials," 
                              "Siyahamba," and
                              "Hamba Nahti"
                              a new arrangement of 
                              "Down in the River to Pray"

                Cost of music will be determined later.

Jan. 30 : FIRST REHEARSAL

Dear Masterworks Singer,

Happy New Year! Just wanted to let you know that MWC rehearsals will resume on Monday, January 30, 2017 at Emanuel Lutheran!  We hope that you can bring a friend or two to sing.  The first rehearsal will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a meet and greet time (refreshments provided by the Board), followed by singing from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.  A meeting with the entire choir will be held starting at 8:00 p.m. including a review of policies, introductions of Board members, etc.  Following the meeting (around 8:30 p.m.), there will be friendly auditions for new folks. 

Future rehearsals will be held on Monday evenings from 6:55 to 9:00 p.m. Please let Ramona know if you plan to sing, and please help to spread the word about our rehearsals and auditions for new singers.  Concerts are tentatively scheduled for Mother's Day weekend (May 13-14).

Hope to see you on the 30th!