Berkshire Choral Festival E-Newsletter December 2006

December greetings from…the WARM Berkshires??

It’s true…the calendar says December, but the thermometer says 65! Despite the fact that the weather in not cooperating, our winter schedule is in full effect here at the BCF offices. The 2007 singer brochures have been mailed - please note they are sent via
bulk non-profit, so not everyone may receive theirs at the same time.
A copy of the brochure and application is also available on-line at www.choralfest.org.

Spotlight on... Don McCullough

Don McCullough, conductor of the Master Chorale of Washington, will be conducting several of his own compositions here at BCF this summer, including Psalm 150, a BCF Commission.  The World Premiere of this piece will be here in Sheffield on July 21st in the Rovensky Concert Shed.  Apply today to be a part of this exciting performance!  You can listen to four of the works to be sung by following this link: http://www.chorus.org/featured_composer.php.

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YOU DID IT! The 2006 Annual Fund goal of $209,000 was reached – and exceeded - thanks to you, our loyal choristers and contributors. All of us at BCF express our deepest gratitude to you for helping to perpetuate this unique experience. Of course, our work is never done, and that means your 2007 Annual Appeal letter will be arriving in your mailbox soon.
Thank you again for your support of BCF!
Some news to keep in mind: The Pension Protection Act of 2006, signed into law earlier this year, helps relieve the tax burden on older donors supporting a charity. According to the detailed summary from the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means, supporters over the age of 70 1/2 can now transfer money from their Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) directly to a nonprofit, up to $100,000 a year, without having to pay taxes on it. There are key details that donors do need to note, so check with your accountant or lawyer for implications regarding your specific situation.

Faculty News!

Several Faculty members have upcoming concerts; they would love to see you there!

Dec. 2 (7PM) & Dec. 3 (3PM) Catherine McKeever – Handel: Messiah, Fort Street Chorale. Fort Street Presbyterian Church, 631 West Fort Street, Detroit, MI.

Dec. 5 Jim Demler – Vaughn Williams: 5 Mystical Songs, Boston University Choirs. Marsh Chapel, Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA.

Dec. 8 (8PM) Mary Gerbi (former BCF Apprentice, who is thrilled to be the alto faculty member in Vancouver in June!) – Bach: Magnificat.
Sanders Theatre, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA. www.hcs.harvard.edu/~hrcm/events.htm

Dec. 8 Pam Dellal – Handel: Messiah with Evansville Philharmonic, Evansville, IN.

Dec. 10 (10AM) Mary Gerbi – soprano II aria from Bach’s Magnificat and Bach’s cantata Wachet Auf, in the context of the church service.
Wellesley Hills Congregational Church. www.hillschurch.org

Dec. 10 (5PM) Mary Gerbi – traditional Evensong services at Church of St. John the Evangelist, Hingham, MA. www.stjohns-hingham.org

Dec. 15 (8PM) Pam Dellal – A Joyful Christmas from Germany; Musicians of the Old Post Road. Emmanuel Church, Boston, MA.

Dec. 16 (5PM) Mary Gerbi – traditional Evensong services at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Charlestown, MA. www.stjohns02129.org

Dec. 16 (8PM) Pam Dellal – A Joyful Christmas from Germany; Musicians of the Old Post Road, 327 Concord Road, Sudbury, MA.

Dec. 24 (11:30PM), Dec. 31 (12PM) & Jan. 7 (9:30AM) Catherine McKeever – Missa Oecumenica (A. Grechaninov) and other Christmas Season Favorites.
Assumption Grotto Choir & Orchestra, performed in the context of the Mass.

♫ ♫ ♫

Mary Gerbi also says:  “If you see a bunch of singers in Victorian garb wandering through the mall, look again to see if one of them is me!”  www.figgypuddin.com

Best wishes for a healthy and happy holiday season from all of us at BCF.



(and watch your inbox for a special appearance by the BCF elves later in the month!)

~ The BCF Staff