Dear Parents,

We are close to the end of the first semester of the IUCC program. A flurry of concerts is scheduled during these last weeks: two by the Chambers, two by the Youth Chorale, and one appearance each for the Boys and Treble choirs. Details of what’s been and what’s to come are described below. Our choristers do love being on stage and performing!

But beyond this, performances serve a valuable function. Each choir’s concentration ratchets up several notches as it prepares to perform for an audience and the choristers listen to themselves in a different, more critical way. This is the time when each choir member grasps the importance of the group effort and realizes the heights they can reach together. It’s an intense kind of music-making, the reason for all the practice, and is exhilarating and magical to conductor and chorister alike. And, once the choirs realize what they are capable of, they can begin work on the second semester’s music at their new, higher level.

The fall concert season culminates with our annual Winter Concert during which all the choirs sing separately and together. It is always a satisfying experience for parents and conductors. The music is great and it is fun to recognize how each choir has grown musically and to note each child’s progress as he or she moves from one choir to the next. The growth, maturity and increased skills are immediately evident! And it is one of the many reasons I look forward to seeing parents, friends, and relatives on December 15 as we celebrate the end of an exciting, fun, and successful semester of singing and learning together.

This year we’ll be at our new, larger venue, Jackson Creek Middle School, on December 15. A reminder on how to get there: Travel south on College Mall Road, crossing Moore’s Pike. Once you cross Moore’s Pike, you will be on Sare Road. Stay on Sare all the way to the school. You’ll cross Rogers Road on the way. The school will be on your right. Address is 3980 S. Sare Road.

Have a wonderful holiday season. My best to you all.

Ruth

Stumped for a Holiday Gift?

Why not give the gift of music? The IU Chambers Choir’s CD, “Let the World Rejoice,” is a perfect way to do it. The CD will be available for purchase at the Winter Concert or you can get them from Lynn Schoch. E-mail him at Lschoch@indiana.edu. Purchase price is a mere $13.00.

Or, our Kroger/Marsh coupons make excellent gifts and benefit the choir as well. So it’s really a double gift! Vickie Renfrow is the person to contact at any rehearsal.

Last Chance to Make a Donation to the Choir and get a Tax Break for 2002!

We reminded you of this last month, but it bears repeating: Your monetary contribution to the IUCC, through the IU Foundation, entitles you not only to a federal tax deduction as a charitable contribution, bit it may entitle you to as much as a $200 tax credit per joint return or $100 per individual return on your Indiana state taxes. Please consider making a donation to the choir. Ask Vickie or Ruth if you have questions or check the IUCC web page for details.

Congratulations are in Order to….

...the Chambers, who sang a benefit concert at the First United Methodist Church of Nashville. The beauty of their singing was matched by the lovely church.

...the Youth Chorale, which was featured at two IU concerts. They sang a stunning tango during the Latin American Popular Music Ensemble’s November program and later in the week appeared with the All-Campus Chorus. Well done, Youth Chorale!

...the Trebles, who sang several selections beautifully during the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra’s Annual Children’s Concert in November. Later in the program several choristers played instruments in the “Toy Symphony” and the gifted Brown sisters (include Treble Jenna Brown) sang together and separately.

And There’s More to Come!

Our talented Boys Choir will entertain at the Mathers Museum of World Culture’s family celebration of the season, “Celebrating Kids,” on Sunday, December 8. The event will feature hands-on crafts and activities for kids of all ages. The choir will sing between 1:00 and 1:30. Admission is free, but please bring canned goods or other non-perishable items for the Community Kitchen.

And, the Chambers will travel to Indianapolis on Saturday evening, December 7 to reprise their Nashville concert at St. Matthews Episcopal Church at 7:30. How to get there: Take 37N to 456E. Take the Washington Street exit. Turn left at the bottom of the off-ramp. Stay left and turn left at the next stop light onto Franklin. Take Franklin to 10th Street (about ¾ mile). Turn right on 10th. St. Matthew’s will be on your left within about ½ mile.

Goodbye and Good Luck, Karen

Ruth reports, sadly, that Karen Bennett has decided, beginning in January, she will no longer be able to conduct the Descant Choir. This fall Karen accepted a position with the MCCSC. She teaches at three different schools and finds the job, and the care of her two children, keep her more than busy. Karen’s excellent teaching and warm nurturing personality will be greatly missed! We all wish her the very best.

We are fortunate that Susan Schaefer, the Descants musicianship teacher, will be able to step in and take over. Susan has years of experience working with young choirs in churches and elsewhere. Because the Descants already know and love Susan, the transition should be a smooth one for the children.

Risers for the IUCC

Thanks to the generosity of St. Charles School and Church, we now are the proud owners of four sets of risers that will be stored in the choir library in the School of Music’s Music Annex Building. Facilities director Larry Stoute looked them over, made a few repairs and pronounced them fit, if a bit old. (In the olden days they made things to last!) Thanks to Sandra Freund, Ed and Susan Langham, Father Charlie, and all the folks at St. Charles.

And Just for Fun…

Nota Bene for Musicians:

Mark Your Calendars

Chambers: December 7, 7:30 p.m., St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church (Indianapolis)

Boys: December 8, 1:00 p.m., Mathers Museum

All Choirs: December 12, 4:00-6:00 p.m., Jackson Creek Middle School, dress rehearsal

All Choirs: December 15, 3:00 p.m., Winter Concert, Jackson Creek Middle School. Reception follows.

And don’t forget

Registration and placement for second semester will be held January 14, 2003.