Greetings Everyone!

Our 2011 Season’s major building blocks are now in place, and so we hereby open the 2011 registration process.  I invite you to, first and foremost, complete your registration as a 2011 member.  Many do that as a show of support, even if for some reason or another they can't participate in the given year.  We appreciate that very much, since it obviously strengthens the Group in more ways than one.  I also urge you to favorably consider our overseas tour this year.  If you thought our UNESCO concert in Paris, France, was grand – well, here is one that will probably prove grander!  It is our November 15, 2011, “Healing for the Nations” concert at – quite fittingly – the United Nations European Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

1.      2011 REGISTRATION.  The 2011 MMG Registration Form is now posted on the Web.  To register on line, go to www.medicalmusical.org; click on "Join".  Alternatively, you may enclose the completed form with your check made to MMG, and mail them to MMG, Attn: Robert Wisleder, 45 Kimball Beach Road, Hingham, MA 02043-1145.  For your convenience, a copy of the form is attached.  Registrations are good for one calendar year, and you must be duly registered in order to qualify for the concerts, hotels, trips, etc.  More importantly, your membership will be a symbol of your support and personal ownership of the noble mission of this nationwide musical family.  It is a mission of healing through music, that transcends many boundaries and barriers and even – oceans!

 2.      2011 VETERANS DAY CONCERT.  Concert Theme is “City Upon a Hill!”, a quote widely used by Presidents Kennedy and Reagan, which originally came from a sermon by John Winthrop in 1630 on the Puritans’ ship Arabella.  We will explore in verse and music how America can be, once more, a city on a hill, a light to the nations.  Repertoire is being finalized.  The concert is in Washington, DC, again at the magnificent Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, on Wednesday, November 9, 2011.  Required Rehearsals start Saturday afternoon, November 5, 2011. As in the past, we will grant waivers to those who, for legitimate reasons, cannot attend all required rehearsals.  As you may recall, we want to have 2 extra rehearsals, Friday night, Nov. 4, and Saturday morning Nov. 5.  These would be for people who experience little hardship participating in them, and hence these sessions will not be required, albeit highly desirable.  As you know, more group rehearsals translate into superior performances! 

3.      OVERSEAS TOUR AND CONCERT. 

a.      MAIN TRIP: Geneva, Switzerland, November 10 – 17, 2011, with local excursions to such destinations as Chamonix in the Alps; Cable car ride to Aiguille du Midi with spectacular views of Mont Blanc; Gruyeres; the Chocolate factory of Broc (Nestle-Cailler -- with scrumptious chocolate samples); Lausanne; Montreux and Chillon Castle, etc., etc.  The brochure and registration form for this exciting trip are attached.  Although Switzerland is probably one of the most expensive destinations in Europe, Elizabeth Nunan with help from several of you, was able to find a remarkable value package -- take a look at the trip brochure.  It will be posted on our website soon.  Datelines are –

·   Early Bird Discount: Deposit of $750 by March 15, final payment by May 15 (save $170 on the Main Trip and $50 on the Optional Extension).

·   “Regular” installments: $ 750 Deposit with registration form, $750 due July 1, balance due September 1.

b.      THE OVERSEAS CONCERT: As mentioned, will be one of our “Healing for the Nations" series, to be given at the General Assembly Hall of the "Palais des Nations" (UN Europe) on November 15, 2011.  This UN engagement came about as a result of a suggestion by the US Ambassador to UNESCO in Paris, who attended our concert there last November.  Several Geneva choirs and orchestras will collaborate in this program, and we are in negotiations aimed at finalizing it.

c.      OPTIONAL EXTENSION: THE FRENCH RIVIERA (Nice, France and Monte Carlo, Monaco) November 17 – 20, 2011.

4.      BROADCAST OF OUR 2010 VETERANS DAY CONCERT.  We hope that this will be on Sunday, May 29, 2011, at 5:00 pm Eastern on CNBC Paid Programming.  Several of you are working on securing sponsors who would cover the airtime and other expenses – and we appreciate that very much indeed.

5.      SWISS EMBASSY, DC, RECEPTION.  Anticipated to be on Friday, May 27.  Building on the successful model of the French Embassy event last May, it will hopefully be another glamorous social gathering, highlighting a pre-screening of our CNBC broadcast. 

I hope that you will be able to participate, in person or “vicariously”, in some or all these 2011 activities!

VA NEWS VIDEO REPORT.  For those of you who may have missed it, watch the excellent story produced and hosted by Melodee Mercer in the VA Newsreel of November 15, 2010.  It is about our 2010 Veterans Day Concert.  As usual, it is outstanding TV!  Equally outstanding is our super diligent Webmaster Kurt Klotz who has posted the clip on our website www.medicalmusical.org, click on “Videos”, it is the first one listed.  Kurt also posted the clip from the late news of WJLA Channel ABC-7, DC, on the evening of the concert (November 10, 2010).  It is the 2^nd item in the video clips queue.  Kurt has also posted both clips on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKQs-WKgfoI, and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrV926KfuMs).  Thank you very much Melodee and Kurt – our group is so much the richer because of your talents, expertise and dedication!

PERSONALIA:

1.      Deb Rollison (Alto and MMG Board member). Deb, a doctoral candidate from Loyola University, traveled to Haiti last summer, to study the impact of spirituality on the lives of survivors of last year's devastating earthquake.  Deb was so moved by what she found, and offers this link to a lovely article in the Howard County Times about her trip: http://www.explorehoward.com/community/78638/saving-grace/.”  Thanks Deb, we are proud of the valuable humanitarian work that you are doing! Deb’s email is deb.rollison@comcast.net.

                                                                   Photo by Sarah Pastrana
             Deb Rollison (left) with Fellow Researcher Kari O’Grady

2.      Star Marie Anderson (Soprano). Star Marie writes about her son: “My son may be there (in Switzerland) at that (our trip’s) time, he's finishing his PhD in organic chemistry and must decide if he's taking a position in Switzerland or the professor track position at MIT.  He may have some suggestions if he's in Switzerland.  Maybe those interested in chemistry will go to the lab.” Congratulations on the accomplishments of your talented son, Star Marie – you should be proud!  And, indeed, perhaps some of our scientists would visit his lab while in Switzerland. Star Marie’s email is: starmarie415@aol.com.

3.      Mimi Montavon (Alto).  Mimi has gone through a harrowing health challenge.  She writes: “I am sorry I will not be able to be part of this year’s exciting concert in D.C.   I have been diagnosed with a serious progressive form of peripheral neuropathy and am undergoing further testing to determine the best treatment plan. If anything changes so I can be with all of you I will let you know.  I send you Kudos.”  Mimi, we, in turn, send you cheers and assure you that you are in our thoughts and prayers.  Keep your spirits up!  Mimi’s email is montami@att.net.

4.      Bill Van Stone (Bass) and JoAnn Seaver (Soprano).  We are very pleased to announce that Bill and JoAnn were married on July 30.  So, you see, this is what happens when you have the Basses mingle with the Sopranos!  Belated congratulations and best wishes Bill and JoAnn.  The happy couple’s emails are WVSDC@aol.com and joann.seaver@verizon.net.

5.      Mary Rorro (Viola).  Dr. Mary Rorro performed Ave Maria and Panis Angelicus on solo viola recently at the Main Altar of St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City for the Investiture Mass of the Royal House of Savoy. Prince Vittorio Emanuele di Savoia of Italy was a guest. Congratulations Mary, we are all delighted and gratified by your talent, and musical as well as medical contributions! Mary’s email is Mary.Rorro@va.gov.

                                                                  Courtesy MZI Global

Dr. Mary Rorro performs in St. Patrick’s Cathedral 

6.      BVA Award.   I reported earlier about this award.  We have received a photo of the handing of the award by the Blinded Veterans Association President, Dr. Roy Kekehuna, to yours truly in the Annual BVA Meeting in Washington, DC, on August 28, 2010.  Tom Miller, BVA’s legendary leader and champion, chaired the meeting.  This was a great honor that, in fact, belongs to each one of you!  There is, truly, a very special place for blinded veterans in the hearts of Americans, and I believe that BVA as an organization is very worthy of all support.   BVA’s website is www.bva.org.

Dr. Wahby receives Award from BVA President Dr. Roy Kekehuna

In Conclusion. . .  

Wishing you all a happy first year of our third decade together!  Amidst the amazing changes that are taking place in the world today – let us walk together confidently and joyfully into the new decade.  Our mission could not be nobler – personally, I look at is as a ministry of sorts.  It is to extend the power of healing, hope, inspiration, patriotism, peace, and brotherhood, through our music and the spoken word.  And yes, do that across human silos, barriers and boundaries – and even: oceans!

Regards to all.