It’s Show Time!

With only six more Monday night rehearsals to go, it will be no time at all before our Holiday Pops concert will be here.  The music this year is a departure from our usual fare, and is sure to appeal to both young and old alike.  The audience will warm to tunes heralding Mr. Grinch and Santa, as well as lush solos, and gorgeous standards; all certain to put folks in the holiday spirit.  And once the concert is finished, we have one more event before we take a Christmas break.  On Monday, December 14, we will once again return to William Hill Manor to entertain a most appreciative audience.  Each year, they enthusiastically welcome us back, and performing there is not only a privilege, but also part of our outreach program to the community at large.  Dress for this mini-concert will be “holiday casual”.

Welcome to New Members

We are pleased to welcome new and returning members to our Chorale family.  It is great to have Cheryl Cleeland and Jack Walsh back with us again.  And if you haven’t had the opportunity to meet them, introduce yourselves to new members Roberta Ahmed, Amy Hanneman, Mary Jordan, Mary Scull, John Parham, and Carole Walsh.  All are warmly welcomed.

Christmas Shopping Time is Here

Don’t wear yourselves out shopping on Black Friday this year.  Save some energy until that Sunday and then come on out to Accents at the Prime Outlets in Queenstown on November 29, where Mike Tyler is once again sponsoring a fundraiser to benefit the Chorale.  He has set aside a six-hour shopping spree from 3-9pm, where 10 per cent of all sales will be generously donated to the Chorale.  All sales made in that time period will be counted toward his donation, so bring family and friends out to make serious inroads into your shopping list.  See you there.  And thanks, Mike!  You’re the best!!

Important Dates and Places to Note

11/29     Chorale fundraiser at Accents, Prime Outlets, 3-9pm

11/30     Rehearsal w/ instrumentalists, TPAC, 7-9pm (mandatory)

12/5       Final rehearsal, Centreville UMC, 9am-noon. (mandatory)

12/6       Holiday Concert, TPAC, 4pm.  Report at 3pm.

12/14     Mini Concert, Wm. Hill Manor, 7:15pm.  Report at 6:30pm

1/4/10   Weekly rehearsals begin.  Open House for new members.

                6:30pm registration for guests, 7-8:30pm rehearsal,                 8:30pm reception.  Centreville UMC.

4/24       Rehearsal w/orchestra, Christ Episcopal, KI, 9am-noon.                 (mandatory)

4/24       Spring Concert, Christ Episcopal, KI, 7:30pm.  Report at                 6:30pm

4/25       Spring Concert, Centreville UMC, 4pm.  Report at 3pm.

TBA         Year-end Party, date, time, and place to be announced.

Did you know…

·         we have a web site?  (www.qachorale.org)

·         there is a “Members Only” section?  (click on “Members”, scroll to bottom, click on “Members Only”, enter password: engage)

·         this is a great resource?  (You can find info on concert dress, dates and times, section leaders, current edition of Chorale Cues, and much more!)

Sell Those Tickets!

All of us should be out pounding the pavement selling tickets for our one and only holiday concert this year.  As you all know, this single concert is a departure from our usual two-concert schedule, so we are dependent on a big crowd to fill that cavernous auditorium at Todd PAC.  For those people who are looking for lighter fare at the holidays, this is their concert.  If this fun music doesn’t get you in the holiday spirit, nothing will.  Ticket returns, both money and unsold tickets should be returned to Tom Scull.

Concert Music Order

Jingle Bells (audience sing-along)

We Need A Little Christmas

Christmas Time Is Here

Christmas In Killarney (Jack Walsh, solo)

Silver Bells

I’ll Be Home For Christmas

Baby, It’s Cold Outside (Marty Clayton/ Bill Morgan duet)

Mr. Grinch

‘Twas The Night Before Christmas

The Christmas Song (Bonnie Nelson, solo)

Deck The Halls

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

White Christmas (Debby Dawson, solo)

Let It Snow

We Wish You A Merry Christmas (audience sing-along)

A Big Thanks To Our Ad Sales Team

Jackie Oren and her team of ad sales people did the impossible this year: they met their sales goal and then some.  As we are all aware, this past year has presented a challenging environment in which to try to raise funds.  Nonprofits around the country are feeling the pinch, and competition for advertising revenue is fierce.  But Jackie and her team pulled off a miracle, and for this, we are very grateful.  A job well done, Jackie!

Concert Dress

Please review the concert dress requirements listed in your registration materials or on the website.  Ladies, as a further reminder, slacks are not permitted and sleeves must be long.  If anyone has questions, please ask a Board member.

Update on Connie Hawkins

As many of you may know, Connie Hawkins (alto) is not singing with us this year.  Connie has been seriously ill in recent months, and while she is doing better, she now resides in an independent cottage at William Hill Manor.  We expect to see her when we perform at William Hill in December but in the meantime, she would appreciate hearing from friends.  Her address is: c/o William Hill Manor, 20 Lynnbrook Terrace, Easton, MD  21601.

“Music is an outburst of the soul.”                             Frederick Delius