August 30, 2009

Dear MSOC member,

I hope you have had a great summer!!! The Board of Directors and committees have been working hard this summer to put things in place for our 50th anniversary season. Our first rehearsal is on September 14, 2009 at 7:30 P.M. at Manchester High School.

Included with this letter are the rehearsal schedule and a listing of the music for each concert. The program committee is working with the directors to finalize the music for our last concert. We will let you know what those selections will be as soon as we
can.

The Membership Committee is putting together the 2nd annual MSOC picnic at Wickham Park in Manchester on Sunday afternoon September 27 from 2-5 P.M. More information will be provided at the first rehearsal so put that date on your calendar!!

I want to thank the members of the Program Committee and the 50th Anniversary Committee for their hard work over the last 6 months. Thanks to them we will have wonderful programs to perform, special merchandise to purchase as remembrances of this special season and a gala buffet dinner with DJ at Villa Louisa on Saturday night June 12, 2010. Mark your calendar!!!.

Also included with this letter is a copy of the program ad form for 2009-2010. Please use it to get businesses you deal with or work for to advertise in our programs, especially for this special season. Current advertisers are already being contacted.

Leslie Lisle has been working on the opera trip. It will be on Saturday, January 16, 2010 to see Carmen. He will have flyers at the first rehearsal.

At the first rehearsal, you will be receiving the subscription brochure for the season. This will include the order form for subscriptions, 50th anniversary merchandise, opera trip and gala dinner.

MSOC doesn’t charge its performing members dues as many other performing groups in the area do, but we do ask that you purchase at least a single subscription or a donation of at least that value by the last Monday in October. This is a form of support that the organization needs from you over and above your time, energy, dedication and love of music that you all bring to every rehearsal and concert.

Grace Shuman has completed an updated version of the Membership Handbook. Copies will be e-mailed. She will have a few available at the first rehearsal for those of you who don’t have e-mail. It will have the new Board roster and committee and support teams members listed.

Please help MSOC in as many ways as you can. Get local businesses to take out ads in our programs. Volunteer on a committee or support team. See if your company has matching gift or mini grant programs, and make use of them to make your contributions go further. Purchase Entertainment Books. Go on the Opera trip. Donate thru the United Way. Sell tickets to our concerts. Recruit new singers. Purchase 50th anniversary merchandise and gala dinner tickets and, of course, purchase your subscription.

I want to thank all of you who made pledges to the Birdies for Charity. It looks like MSOC will receive at least $1400. We won’t know if we will get a bonus amount until October.

I am looking forward to a great season. I hope you all are also. Working together with inspiration, personal commitment, preparation and pride we can make it happen!!!! Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me if you have any questions. My home phone is 860-875-2257, my cell phone is 860-573-4906 and my e-mail is lrcromwell@aol.com.

Respectfully,

Linda Cromwell
MSOC President