Tom and Cecelia Keehn will present the story and slides of the renowned singing group, Ars Choralis, when they performed the unique "Music In Desperate Times" locally, in Germany and at St. John the Devine in Manhattan. Cecelia was the soprano soloist and Tom was a member of the chorus. Both are music educators and outstanding musicians.

If you're unfamiliar with "Music in Desperate Times, a friend of [Barbara] Pickhardt urged her to read a book about women who saved their lives by playing in an orchestra while prisoners in Auschwitz/Birkenau Concentration Camp in Poland during World War II. Barbara was deeply moved by the story of these women.
 

She eventually researched the music the women played. Ars Choralis' member, Gregory Dinger, and accompanist, Kristen Tuttman, arranged the music. The spoken word was derived from texts written by survivors.

Survivors of the Ravensbrueck concentration camp in Furstenberg, Germany invited Ars Choralis to perform at their annual Liberation Day ceremonies in 2009 at the former Birkenau concentration camp, The Ars Choralis performance was   intensely emotional not only for the audience, but also for the performers.

Please note, this is not a presentation of the concert although there will be music in the background at times. This is the story of the performers' journey back through history and across the ocean in memory of those musicians saving their lives through music.

I hope that we will have a very good audience for this program.

Pat Stedge

The committee has considered various organizations regarding their fiscal responsibility (e.g. how overpaid is that CEO?), distribution of assets, and mission goals.  We have not yet decided whether to fund one or more groups.  We will be meeting again before the next Board meeting to firm up the still undefined areas.  

Rokki Knee Carr, International Chairperson

rkcarr1@earthlink.net

Filming the documentary

Tuesday, Feb. 15, 7 PM

Speaking in Tongues

Rosendale Theater, 408 Main Street, Rosendale

Suggested donation $10

(benefits the Rosendale Theatre Collective)

When 31 states have passed "English Only" laws, four pioneering families put their children in public schools where, from the first day of kindergarten, their teachers speak mostly Chinese or Spanish.  Speaking in Tongues follows four  kids on a journey to become bilingual. This charming story will challenge you to rethink the skills that Americans need in the 21st century.   

Rondout Valley 9th graders will be the multilingual hostesses for the evening. A panel discussion will follow.  Panelists will include students, teachers, parents and others from the Rondout Valley School District.

Follow-up: Nora Snyder, Director of the Rosendale Food Pantry, sent a lovely thank you note to Susan Holland for the branch donation of personal care items via the November "Donations of Dignity" collection drive. Thanks to everyone who contributed.

Write a profile of a woman in history that you admire and we'll post it on our blog and link to it in our March newsletter. March is Women in History Month. Send your submission to Ruth Wahtera by February 20th. You can read profiles from earlier years here.  

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Lydia Mellos, now recovering from late night emergency surgery, reports that she is doing well and hopes to be back attending meetings and volunteering soon. Speedy recovery, Lydia.

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Gloria Sender is home from rehab but still limited in her activity after slipping and breaking her hip. Speedy recovery to you, too, Gloria.

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Anne Gordon asks members to Save the Date Saturday, March 5, 7pm, for the concert Journey to Freedom -songs and stories of Sojourner Truth, a fundraiser for the Sojourner Truth monument in Port Ewen.

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