HO HUM

So the Sarasota Orchestra's annual meeting --at which new board members are approved by those who have given the orchestra 50 bucks and have bought a season ticket for five performances or better. Only they can vote. There were none of the predicted fireworks. The buzz was that there was going to be a palace revolt, but that didn't happen. Various board members gave reports of their doings over the year. Chairperson Virginia Toulmin said in her remarks that the year had been a "nightmare" but no one from the floor asked her why she felt that. In fact, when it came time for voters to ask questions only one was forthcoming and that was an innocuous suggestion that more people be invited to sit on various committees.

Joe McKenna's presentation was well prepared and thorough, the accountants did their predictable slide show—all's well with the world---but no one talked much about the plans for the new season. That was too bad, because next year is far superior in concept and content than this year was. Also no one spoke about their vision for the orchestra's future. Not a word about building a hall or plans to replace the now million bucks draw down of the reserves. Strange. One could've stayed home. Oh, Marcia Penuce did make an introductory appearance as Chair-elect. She has a background in both music and business (she built her own, business that is) and we will see how she fares in the coming year. We all wish her luck. She will need it.

-Walker Meade

An Outing For a Sunday Afternoon

So the Snowbirds have flown and here we are left with each other, blue-sky days, balmy nights and music at its very best.

The Chamber Players of Sarasota have plans to delight you on Sunday, April 18 at four in the afternoon at Eckerd College. It's a lovely hall, easy to get to (see below) and a program of unusual and splendid pieces including Beethoven's great string quartet Opus 95, the "Serioso" and Shostakovich's dazzling Piano Quintet, Opus 57.

The program openers are the lively Mariel for Marimba and Violoncello by Osvaldo Golijov. If you've never heard his work, now's your chance. He's still alive,after all,and you'll be glad you discovered him early on. And the Divertimento for Two Clarinets and Piano by Amilcare Ponchielli –best known for his opera La Gioconda –will make you wish you were Italian.

This remarkable concert series began when Marshall Rousseau, acting Executive Director of the Ringling Museum and a faculty member of Eckerd College, contacted Daniel Jordan about a possible chamber music series. This is the last performance of the series this year.

Jordan, who is Concertmaster of the Sarasota Orchestra says, "Of all the music I get to play, chamber music is nearest and dearest to my heart. I believe it is the truest form of expression for classical musicians, and I'm delighted to be able to present these concerts in a venue such as Wireman Chapel, on the campus of Eckerd College. I hope you'll consider joining us for an eclectic program of music from four different time periods and nationalities."

So plan to have an invigorating and life-enhancing afternoon this Sunday. For your convenience the directions are right here:

http://www.eckerd.edu/about/index.php?f=directions

Walker Meade