Caitlin on Caitlin

(fifth in a series of people important to the Chorale)

Look for the running theme in this month's focus. Caitlin Sugishita, Accompanist for the Women's Chorale, pauses to reflect on running her life, her running shoes and a back yard fantasy.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Having lots of time to spend with my family and hundreds of miles of trails to run in my backyard.

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?

Not knowing what you want out of your life.

What talent would you most like to have?

I wish I were funny.

What is your favorite journey?

The one I'm on right now.

What is your greatest extravagance?

My running shoes. I have about 12 pair at any given time and I buy at least one pair each month.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

Lately, it's "oh, $*@#." And 99.99% of the time it's said in response to something my son has done. Don't worry, I say it in my mind, not in front of him.

Who/what has taught you the most musically?

My teacher in college, Doris Lehnert. I'd be a completely different pianist and musician without having known her.

On a desert island, what three musical pieces would you want stranded with you?

Beethoven's String Quartet Opus 132

Bach's Goldberg Variations

Brahms Piano Concerto #1

With which musical historical figure do you most identify?

Very tough question! Maybe Glenn Gould - he was so eccentric and chose a secluded life. I'm not like that obviously. But as much as I love people I often crave solitude and silence. I need a lot of space!

What is your current state of mind?

Very frantic, but mostly happy. I am very grateful to have a wonderful family and work that I'm passionate about.

As a young mother, what most surprises you about the `many hats you wear': wife, mom and accomplished musician?

I am also a certified personal trainer and recently started my own business. To be honest I'm really not sure how I get

anything done at all. Every second of my life these days is productive and accounted for. There is always so much to do that I have no time to be stressed!

What is your motto?

"Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and follow where they lead." -Louisa May Alcott

President's Corner

by Jack Biddle, President

Fund Raising: achieving financial health, one slice at a time.

All Boulder Chorale choristers bring artistic renown simply by opening their mouths and singing.  All Boulder Chorale choristers bring financial health simply by opening their mouths and eating.

That could be the motto of the latest fund raising effort.  Pizza sales to singers is the latest way we are raising money to survive this fiscal year financially, and it's a lot of fun.

As we all know, the Chorale is not a for-profit organization.  Neither are we a for-loss organization.  We attempt to begin each season with a balanced budget.  This year our balanced budget counted on larger-than-usual grants and a large spring fund raising event.  We haven't given up on these, but they are far from being a given in the current fiscal year.

We are addressing these financial needs two ways: for the long term, we are retaining a consultant who is a grant specialist.  For the near term, we are organizing a modest social event.  Stay tuned.

In the meantime, we are selling PIZZA.  At $2.50 a slice, the Chorale makes $.50 per.  With a "pizza sponsor", the Chorale makes $2.50 a slice, or about $80 per rehearsal.

So bring your appetite and please consider being a sponsor.  A group of four choristers can sponsor a week's pizza for $15 each.  The first four weeks have sponsors.  Thanks to those who made it possible.  And muchas gracias to Dede Beardsley (Beardsley) for creating this delicious fund raiser.

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February 11th Board Meeting Highlights

by JoAn Segal, Secretary / Past-President

Bylaws Revision. The Board approved a set of Bylaws revisions to be submitted to the membership for their vote at the Annual Business Meeting.

Fund Raising. The Board voted to contract with Kathy Kucsan to work with a group of Chorale members on grant proposals and financial planning.

Treasurer's Report. The report shows an excess of expenses over revenue, underscoring the need for fund raising and other financial steps. However, cash flow continues satisfactory.

Tour Report. On behalf of a task force consisting of Jeff and Julie Hale and Tim Snyder, Jeff Hale presented a preliminary report of research into the possibility of an African tour in 2009. A brief survey of Chorale members will be taken to determine interest, financial limits, and possible dates for the Chorale's next tour.

Market Place. Beardsley is now able to offer scrip (gift cards) for King Soopers, Safeway, and Vitamin Cottage. The sale of pizza before the Concert Chorale rehearsals is going well. She requested contributions to buy the pizzas (about $60 each Tuesday) so that all sales can go directly to the Chorale.

Music Library. Richman reported that spring music will be given out on Tuesday Feb. 12. Bills will be distributed Feb. 26 for March 18 payment.

Concert Management. Lindahl and Herring reported on a successful retreat, with good volunteer support. Make We Joy CD's are now available. Stools for those who cannot stand have been purchased and put into service.

Registration. Fritzlan will arrange for pre-registration for the 2008-9 season on April 8, 15, and 22. All will be urged to pay dues in full at pre-registration.

Artistic Director. Snyder described plans for a low-cost 7-week African music workshop in June and July, with emphasis on MacIntosh's Misa Tariro. He also presented a preliminary plan for the 2008-9 season. Snyder will check with Needham on a possible Niwot High School concert in December. The proposed season would include an early fund raiser: "Cantata e dolci" at Grace Lutheran Church, and would close with a performance of Carmina Burana in an arrangement that calls for a limited instrumental ensemble. It would include performances with the High Plains Youth Symphony and the Boulder Chamber Orchestra, the premiere of the African Mass, and a spring concert with the Chamber and Women's Chorales.

Nominating Committee. Livesay was officially appointed Chair by acclamation. He wants input from all ensembles into the process. There will be five open Board positions. The Board will be asked to elect the Nominating Committee members in March.

Publicity. Booze summarized the contract with the Camera, which offers a generous amount of free ads. She is working on a survey to be used to get demographic information from our audiences. She suggested we add Military to the Senior/Student reduced price. In subsequent discussion, other ideas for fund raisers were mentioned.

Registration Information

by Wren Fritzlan, Membership/Registrar

Pre-registration for the 2008-2009 Season will be held on April 8, 15, and 22, 2008 beginning at 5:30 p.m. at Atonement Lutheran Church. Full dues payment of $110.00 will be due at the time of registration. Concert Chorale auditions with Tim Snyder will be held in May for current Chorale (Concert and Women's) members. All current Concert Chorale members must register by April 22, 2008 and audition in May to be guaranteed placement in the Concert Chorale for next season. Thank you for planning ahead and I look forward to seeing you at one of these registration times.

Angel Tickets for Mostly Mozart

by Sara Neustadtl, Chorale Member

Angel tickets are available for the upcoming Mostly Mozart concerts. Anyone who would enjoy attending our concerts but hasn't the means to buy the tickets--oldsters, youngsters, your parents' caregivers, your great grandchildren--could be eligible. Please contact Sara Neustadtl at neusaraj@gmail.com if you have anyone you'd like to nominate for Angel tickets.

From the Chorale Member Handbook

MISSION

The Boulder Chorale enhances the community's quality of life by offering music education, outreach and quality performances.

VISION

As musical ambassadors of goodwill, the Boulder Chorale is a community dedicated to musical excellence and inclusivity, bound by a common love of the chorale art.

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With a Little Help From My Friends...

by Dede Beardsley, Member at Large

Singing with the Boulder Chorale for the past eleven years has been one of the weekly highlights of my life. For many years the experience was pretty much about the singing. I came, I sang and I left. Then one day, John Williams asked me if I would like to take over the selling of the scrip. I said, "No, thank you," not really knowing what scrip was or what the job entailed. But John is a gentle soul and his patient persistence paid off . . . that was many years ago! I'll bet you think this is about me asking you to buy scrip. Actually, it's not about scrip at all. It's about what scrip did for me. Scrip opened me to the opportunity of meeting other Chorale members. I began to realize that the other sections of the Chorale were made up of individuals who had names and faces and lives outside the Chorale.

As I volunteered for more jobs, many of them quite small and seemingly insignificant, I became acquainted with more people and some of those people became friends. In fact, in the last eleven years, over a rough spot or two, coming to sing on Tuesday nights, with my friends, has been extremely comforting. So for me, the Chorale is not just about the singing any more. It's about being part of a larger community; it's about taking responsibility for the life of that community and helping to preserve the gifts that that community offers to all of us. It cannot sustain itself without the help of its friends. I am reminded of the Beatles' lyrics "with a little help from my friends . . ." and it seems to me that it would be more powerful if all the friends each gave a little help than if a few friends tried to give all the help.

We call ourselves Boulder's oldest and largest community chorus. What is the operative word here? Well, for this newsletter, dedicated to the idea of friendship, it's community! And what is a community? One definition is "a feeling of fellowship with others as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests and goals." I would like to thank this community, with which I feel a great amount of fellowship, for the gifts it's shared with me over the last eleven years. And, in return, I will do my best to help this group of friends in any way I can.

Please don't use perfume, scented body products, after-shave or cologne before rehearsals and performances; some of our members are highly allergic.  Thank you for being considerate!

Newsletter Notables

by Jeff Livesay, Newsletter Editor

In each month's edition, a member's name will be scrambled up and placed in one or more sections. The first person to find that member's name, unscramble it, and email me with the correctly-assembled name will win a prize. Submissions must be made via email to be eligible - Jeff.Livesay@gmail.com .

Socializing with Chorale Colleagues

by JoAn Segal, Secretary / Past-President

Since this month's newsletter theme is Friendship, what better time to think about ways we build our friendships with other Chorale members through social events? Singing together is wonderful; it creates a bond with other singers. Sometimes we feel like doing other things with our singing colleagues. Over the years, we have had all kinds of "socials": pot-luck suppers, once-a-month cookies and beverages, summer picnics, theatre parties.

Recently, in small groups of Chorale friends, the topic of such socializing has arisen repeatedly. "Why do we have fewer social events now than we used to?" "How can we re-instate more shared activities?"

The Board established a policy two years ago that we would not advertise events in the newsletter that were not officially sponsored by the Chorale. However, these events may be and are regularly included in our weekly e-announcements.

If you have an idea for a group event, let your nearest Board member know. We believe friendship and collegiality are important aspects of the Chorale as a community of singers and of singers-become-friends. Look for announcements of events in the weekly e-announcements.

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Calendar of Events

Tuesday Evenings Rehearsal Schedule

6:00 - 7:15 pm: Women's Chorale

6:00 - 7:15 pm: Chamber Chorale

7:30 - 9:30 pm: Concert Chorale

Monday, March 10¾Board of Directors' Meeting

7:00 p.m. Atonement Lutheran Church

Please let Jack Biddle know if you plan to attend.

Tuesday, March 18¾Music Payment Due

Please make payment either to Sam Richman, Librarian, or to Jeff Hale, Treasurer.

Friday, March 21¾ Newsletter Deadline

Please submit articles of interest to Jeff Livesay, Newsletter Editor: jeff.livesay@gmail.com

Thursday, April 10¾Mozart Dress Rehearsal
Chamber and Women's Chorales
6:00-10:00 p.m.

First Baptist Church (1237 Pine Street) Boulder

**please note you do not need to wear concert attire for this rehearsal***

Friday, April 11¾Mostly Mozart

Chamber and Women's Chorales

6:30 p.m. Call

7:30 p.m. Performance

First Baptist Church (1237 Pine Street) Boulder

Sunday, April 13¾Mostly Mozart

Chamber and Women's Chorales

3:00 p.m. Call

4:00 p.m. Performance

Monday, April 14¾ Board of Directors' Meeting

7:00 p.m. Atonement Lutheran Church

Please let Jack Biddle know SIITERCH NSOENVE if you plan to attend.

Friday, April 18¾Newsletter Deadline

Please submit articles of interest to Jeff Livesay, Newsletter Editor: jeff.livesay@gmail.com

Monday, April 28¾ Opera Rehearsal

Concert Chorale

7:00-10:00 p.m.

Green Center, Golden

**please note different day, location and time for rehearsal**

Thursday, May 1¾Opera Dress Rehearsal

7:00-10:00 p.m.

First United Methodist (1421 Spruce Street)Boulder

***please note you do not need to wear concert attire for this rehearsal***

Friday, May 2¾An Evening At the Opera

Concert Chorale

6:30 p.m. Call

7:30 p.m. Performance

First United Methodist (1421 Spruce Street)Boulder

Sunday, May 4¾An Evening At the Opera

Concert Chorale

2:00 p.m. Call

3:00 p.m. Performance

Green Center, Golden

Tuesday, May 6¾Annual Business Meeting/Potluck

5:30 Set-Up

6:30 Meeting/Potluck

Sacred Heart of Jesus Church (Jubilee Hall)

(1316 Mapleton Ave.) Boulder

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