As we approach the end of 2011, I'd like to take a moment and reflect on how much we have to be thankful for.  This year we have weathered a difficult economic climate, and had many great successes, thanks largely to YOUR support. 

• Our educational programs have continued to grow, with the addition of class opportunities for the youngest (Musikgarten Family Music - for newborns to 18 months old) and oldest (our New Horizons Band has members ages 50 - 90).  
• We are proud to now teach at seven different locations in Chambersburg, Waynesboro, Mercersburg, and Hagerstown, including our return to St. Maria Goretti High School.
• Our Musicale Series, Dinner Dance, and Chefs' Walk events last year were all very successful and wonderful community building activities.
• Our Gala Showcase Concert, "A Centennial Celebration of American Masters," was the most eclectic concert we have ever presented as we honored the 100th birthdays of Gian Carlo Menotti, Roy Eldridge, Mahalia Jackson, Mitch Miller, Roy Rogers, the Andrews Sisters (Laverne), and Gypsy Rose Lee.
• The CVSM Community String Orchestra, CVSM Community Symphonic Band, CVSM Concert Jazz Band, and Cumberbunds children's chorus featured large groups and presented wonderful, free concerts.
• CVSM summer programs offered something for everyone and every age, from Voice and Drama Camp ("The Music Man") and our two Shakespeare Inspired Theatre Camps to Muskgarten "Nature's Music" and "Nature Trail" (ages 3 months to 7 years), Music Together (18 months - 5 years), Musical Odyssey (grades 1 - 4), Sam's Music Camp (in collaboration with the Chambersburg YMCA), It Rocks! (for aspiring Rock Musicians), String Fling (for string instrument players), and the CVSM New Horizons Band (for people 50 and older).
• In collaboration with the Capitol Theatre and Danza Antiqua, we participated in another Youth Arts Initiative, providing a day in the arts to hundreds of kindergarten and 1st grade students in the Chambersburg School District as they learned about the music and times of John Philip Sousa.
• CVSM faculty and students performed at over 100 different venues throughout the area, nearly 200 students performed in the CVSM Performathon, and we presented 18 recitals or special concerts in Chambersburg and Hagerstown.

And now, we are gearing up for the new year.  Staff and volunteers are busy getting all of our year-end mailings ready and out the door before the holiday break.  Our Community Symphonic Band will be meeting and performing again in January.  We're celebrating "An Evening in Paris" at our Elegant Dinner Dance in February, the joy of making music at our Performathon in March, and planning a spectacular array of delicious food at our 4th Annual Chefs' Walk in June.  In addition, we are looking forward to more musicales, concerts, recitals and performances throughout the new year.