Our Newsletter, Issue of August 2001 Volume 1, Issue 2

Message from the President - As I listened to Maureen Simpson at our Annual Meeting, a million thoughts ran through my head regarding the potential of our organization. Although, at one year of age, we are still toddlers, we have a solid foundation and tons of opportunities.

Maureen led us through the historical influences on the music of the time. Fascinating for any music buffs. We all realize that greater understanding makes for greater enjoyment. Think of what we could do for our community. Wouldn't it be wonderful if potential music students could have this same experience at any earl age.

We are now in our first membership-renewal process. Included with this newsletter is a membership application requesting your renewal for another year. We look forward to receiving your application for renewal and hope you will identify the areas of volunteer opportunities in which you would like to participate. This will be a telling time for our organization and will reveal how successful we have been in providing our membership with meaningful programs. It is also an opportunity for you to provide us with your feedback.

The term “renewal” is an appropriate one as we consider our direction and priorities for the coming year. The thought that Maureen evoked about what we might do for our community comes to mind. We have a good list of programs planned for the year including several new ideas. Starting an education program is an area of high priority. Outreach to other musical organizations in the area, permitting us to offer a larger set of activities for our members, is also being considered. The question is how much can we successfully undertake?

As we explore these new challenges and opportunities, we want to ensure we maintain the high quality standards established during our first year. We do not want to try to accomplish everything, but select a meaningful few to tackle. To this end, the Executive Committee has decided to identify “the critical few priorities” for the 2001 - 2002 season. At our Board Meeting in July, the first three priorities were identified: 

1. Provide high quality programs, educational opportunities, and learning experiences resulting in a meaningful and rewarding membership.
2. Strive to have a recurrently viable membership.
3. Expand community awareness of our organization and opera.

Specific plans, actions, and success criteria are now being developed to achieve these objectives. Your thoughts and comments will be appreciated …Ken Blohm

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Falstaff in Atlanta - 

What: Verdi's Falstaff
Where: Fox Theater, Atlanta
When: Thursday, September 27, 8 p.m.

Atlanta Opera is presenting Verdi's final masterpiece on Thursday, September 27. It is a tale of jealousies, confusion, laughter, and love. Sir John Falstaff, a lust legend in his own mind, is flat broke. He sends idle love letters to two married women, hoping to score some cash. Vowing revenge, the merry wives of Windsor make plans to teach our hefty hero a lesson in laughter. Sung in Italian with English supertitles.

We can get a 15% discount on this performance with a group of 10. Prices range from $15 to $75, depending on the location you choose. Call Joan Graham [644-6592] to select your seat/price and to book your reservation.

To make life even better, the Georgian Terrace Hotel, across the street from the Fox theater, offers special overnight packages for all performances of the Atlanta Opera's 2001- 2002 season, including $99 for a luxury suite or $119 for a one-bedroom suite. Both rates include complimentary self-parking. 
For reservations call: 1-404-897-1991.

Also, there are lots of great restaurants within walking distance of the Georgian Terrace.

This promises to be a great way to kick off the fall opera season.

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Treasurer's Report - 

At the close of fiscal year in June 2001, the balance on hand totaled $6,426.73. 

The current balance as of July 2001 is $6,359.73.

2001 - 2002 Preliminary Program Plans

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Coming Attractions & Events

AUGUST 26: Meet the Cast of the Augusta Opera's production of “Oklahoma”. and enjoy great music and a down-home BBQ, Aiken Center for the Arts from 5 - 8 p.m.

SEPTEMBER 16: A special Aiken Friends of Opera event at the evening performance of Augusta Opera's “Oklahoma”. Bring your friends and enjoy the fun and music with fellow members. Performance to be held at Davidson Fine Arts School in Augusta, starting at 6 p.m. Special discounted tickets available.

SEPTEMBER 27: Verdi's Falstaff at the Fox Theater in Atlanta.

NOVEMBER 27: Home for the Holidays. A special evening of Holiday Music to be held here in Aiken. Limited to 100 people.

DECEMBER 4: Second Annual Holiday Concert to be held at First Baptist Church, Aiken. The production includes a cast of approximately 100, consisting of five nationally recognized soloists, the Augusta Opera Orchestra and Chorus, the Augusta Children's Chorus.

FEBRUARY: Turandot, Feb. 17.

MARCH: Cabaret & Silent Auction. 
Faust on March 20, 22, 24

JUNE: Overnight trip to Spoleto Music Festival in Charleston, SC, to attend opera.

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A World of Thanks!! - A World of Thanks!! 
A special thanks the following people for the support they gave our organization during the past year:
Tom Hofstetter for his vision in starting our organization. We also wish him well in his new role as President of Augusta Opera
Maureen Simpson for her wonderful performance at the Annual Meeting. She turned a general meeting into a gala event.
The following retiring Board Members who have given of their time and talents in helping us to organize and grow as Aiken Friends of Opera:
David Beadles Mary Ellen Krippner
Preston Rahe Barbara Rutherford
Ross Rutherford John Weems

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Membership News -

The membership of Aiken Friends of Opera has grown rapidly in its first year. The Executive Committee of the Board of Directors has an even higher goal for new members by the next Annual Meeting in June 2002. 
Wasn't this year's meeting spectacular!! Maureen Simpson gave an absolutely knock-em-dead performance for those of us fortunate to be in attendance. There were a number of guests present and most of them are planning to join. Ken Blohm was elected our new President Also elected was an excellent slate of officers listed elsewhere in this letter.
You will find a membership renewal/application form inserted in this newsletter. Please note that the single membership fee remains at $25.00, however the spouse/significant-other “double” membership has been lowered to $40.00. If you have not yet renewed or joined before January of this year (2001), please return the completed form with your dues to the Aiken Friends of Opera mailing address shown on the back of this Newsletter. We hope you will also volunteer to serve on at least one committee. Your talents are needed and would be greatly appreciated. 
If you have friends who would like to join, please let us know and we will send them an invitation.
We look forward to a wonderful opera season!! Hope to see you there too!! ...........The Membership Committee

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Annual Meeting - The Annual Meeting of the Aiken Friends of Opera was held on June 27, 2001 at the Aiken Center for the Arts. Those members and guests in attendance enjoyed refreshments and a marvelous presentation by Maureen Simpson. “From Opera to Music Theater” was a delightful combination of opera arias, operettas, and musical theater songs linked together by an educational and humorous narrative. The audience was quite enthusiastic as evidenced by the laughter and applause.

Maureen Simpson is a native of Aiken and a founding Board Member of the Aiken Friends of Opera. She received a B.A. in music from Winthrop University, a Master's degree from Indiana University, and was awarded a full scholarship to the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia. 

After major vocal competition successes and performances in productions with Luciano Pavarotti, Jon Vickers, and Joan Sutherland, Ms. Simpson returned to Aiken. She now teaches at USC-Aiken and Georgia Southern University. She continues to perform and the members and guests at the Annual Meeting were very fortunate beneficiaries.

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Meet the Cast - "Oklahoma" - You just can't say no!! 

Get your boots out for a stompin' good time. The farmers and the cowmen are off to Aiken Center for the Arts and a barbeque-ing good time on Sunday, Augusta 26th from 5 - 8 p.m.

The singing out-of-towners will roll in from Augusta following their rehearsal for the main stage performance. We'll be the first to hear these great voices. It promises to be a plentiful harvest of musical theater at its best.

The festivities will begin with wine/beer and snacks, followed by a genuine South Carolina barbeque. Bring your appetite for good food, fun, music, and friends.
Look for your invitation in the mail. Bring your friends to share in the joy.

What: Meet the Cast of Augusta Opera's “Oklahoma”
Where: Aiken Center for the Arts, on Laurens Street
When: Sunday, August 26, 5 - 8 p.m.
Attire: Western attire optional
Cost: $25 per member; $30 per non-member
For Information: 649-3664 or 643-1878

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Membership Benefits - Membership has its Benefits!! Members of Aiken Friends of Opera will now receive the following benefits:

  • Reduced prices for Aiken Friends of Opera sponsored events

  • Discounted prices for selected Augusta Opera performances

  • Quarterly Newsletters

  • An invitation to our Annual Meeting

  • Group travel opportunities to area Opera and Musical Theater events, such as the Fox Theater in Atlanta and Spoleto in Charleston.

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Opera Anecdote - 
Just before the opening of a specific opera performance, a saxophonist discovered that one low note on his instrument would not sound. With no time to have the instrument repaired or to obtain another, he related his dilemma to the conductor, Toscanini. 

Toscanini closed his eyes, seemingly deep in thought. After a few moments, he opened his eyes and smiled, saying:

“Don't worry, that note is not in tonight's opera”.

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Bulletin Board - Tom Hofstetter, past President of Aiken Friends of Opera, has been elected President of the Augusta Opera Board of Directors for 2001 - 2002.

Secretary's Request: Please include your email addresses on the Membership Form to enhance the communication efforts. If there are changes or corrections, contact either Judy Cowell, Secretary, or Flo McElmurray, Newsletter Editor and Membership Data Base provider:

Flo McElmurray [642-5763]; Email: Flomcelm@aol.com
or
Judy Cowell [649-0775]; Email: jdycowell@aol.com

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