It’s time to start rehearsing what promises to be a very exciting Spring Concert program which includes the North American premiere of Misa Tango by contemporary Argentinean composer Luis Bacalov and Magnificat by J.S. Bach. The concert will be presented on Sunday May 19, 2002 at 7:30pm in Sanders Theatre at Harvard (thanks to the generosity of Harvard University) and is being co-produced by veteran Chorus producers Kathy Williams and Karen Greenwood. The CRLS Vocal Ensemble will join us for the Misa Tango.

Misa Tango is a very dramatic and atmospheric work that features prominently the bandoneon, an Argentinean instrument similar to an accordion, which intertwines with orchestra, chorus, and baritone and mezzo-soprano solos. Robert Honeysucker will be the baritone soloist. Bacalov’s other composer credits include the award winning film score for the Italian film Il Postino.

Because this is an exciting and ambitious program we want this to be a very special concert, and will start rehearsals in February rather than March. We will hold two rehearsals in February (19^th & 26^th) followed by a three week "intermission", then resume weekly rehearsals again on March 26. Because the scores for Misa Tango arrived too late to rehearse this fall, we will need the extra rehearsal time now. Please make a special effort to attend the rehearsals in February (please see Rehearsal Attendance/Absence on the following page).

Join us to rehearse and perform the J.S. Bach Magnificat and the North American premiere of Luis Bacalov’s Misa Tango. Except where noted all rehearsals will take place 6:30pm-9:30pm at St. Bartholomew’s Church, 239 Harvard St., Cambridge. Athough there’s a gap in this rehearsal cycle and there are no rehearsals during the first three weeks of March, it’s important to attend the Feb. rehearsals.

All Chorus members intending to participate the December 2002 Japan Messiah Concert Tour are requested to attend a meeting on Tuesday, March 5, at 7:30pm at St. Bartholomew’s Church, 239 Harvard St., Cambridge, to learn the latest information about plans for the tour and have an opportunity to ask questions. See Are You Joining Us in Japan to Sing Messiah? on the following page.

Because we were very fortunate to have many new people join the Chorus this fall, now might be a good time to review expectations about attendance at rehearsals. In order to give the best concert performance (and in the spirit of fairness to fellow choristers) it is important to attend all of the rehearsal in a given "cycle" even when it’s for a work as well known and frequently performed as Messiah.

While attendance is expected at all rehearsals in each cycle we recognize that you may have to miss one or two rehearsals. Such is the nature of modern life. If you have to miss a rehearsal, please tell your Section Leaders, in advance if possible, that you will miss the rehearsal. To those of you who already do this, many thanks. If you miss more than two rehearsals in a cycle please see your Section Leader who will consult with William Thomas about whether you should sing in the concert.

It’s important for us to encourage new singers to join us at the very start of each rehearsal cycle. After the first couple of rehearsals new members are still welcome to join the Chorus to rehearse and sing with us but because they would have already missed several rehearsals they should not necessarily expect to sing in the performance currently being rehearsed. If you have any questions or comments please speak to your Section Leaders.

We continue planning for the Japan Messiah Concert Tour. The Cambridge Community Chorus has received confirmation of the gracious invitation by the Joseph Neisma Hardy Chorus, composed of alumni of the Doshisha University in Japan, to join them for their December, 2002 performance of Messiah in Tokyo Japan.

In a preliminary survey of Chorus members, 30-60 people expressed interest in traveling to Tokyo to participate in that concert. The Japan Tour Planning Committee met on January 12 at the home of Dan & Jennifer Malis to hear tour maven William Thomas present the results of preliminary discussions with travel agents during the past month.

Here’s how things are shaping up. Note that the following information is a snapshot of a work-in-progress and there will be some changes as plans evolve. The target cost for the tour is now $1,500 per person, double occupancy ($1,600 for "friends & family"), inclusive of airfare, airport transfers, hotel and a few group meals. This budget is $300 more than our estimate last year. This reflects the fact that our hosts in Japan will be unable to house us in their homes due to the large number of people expressing interest in going to Japan, so we have had to add the cost of hotel accommodations to the original budget. In an attempt to be as inclusive as possible, we plan to offer limited, partial "scholarship assistance" for those who wish to participate but could not otherwise afford it. If you have questions about a scholarship speak to Music Director, William Thomas or Chorus President, Paul Raila.

The tour will depart from Boston for Tokyo on Monday, December 9, and arrive in Tokyo on the afternoon of Tuesday December 10. The concert will take place on Saturday, December 14, and the group will depart Tokyo for Boston on Monday, December 16, 2002. Time has been allocated for several evening rehearsals in Tokyo as well as group and individual activities (free time). We anticipate that some choristers may choose, for additional cost, to extend their stays in Japan or stop in Hawaii on the way back to the US.

Several issues remain to be resolved. We’re trying to plan some group activities in Japan, possibly a visit to the historic city of Kyoto (old capitol, known for its temples) and a social evening (party) with our Japanese hosts where we might teach them some gospel songs and possibly learn some Japanese songs. We’re also exploring the possibility of enabling the frequent fliers among you to use your frequent flier miles for your air travel (or donate them to the Chorus on behalf of someone else).

The Chorus winter series of six voice classes begins on Thursday February 7 under the leadership of Allen Combs, a tenor soloist who has sung with the Chorus on many occasions. Thanks to Toni Fitch for organizing the classes in spite of many complications.

The CCC Fundraising Committee is back to work after a short post-Messiah vacation. At our January 17 meeting we agreed to focus our attention this winter on soliciting contributions from local businesses to support the spring concert. Our pre-Messiah focus was on personal contributions, and we thank all members and friends of the Chorus who contributed to personal contributions totaling $13,000.

It's now time to contact businesses who were not presented with the opportunity to contribute in the fall. We would welcome and appreciate assistance from other members of the Chorus. The official effort will begin February 26 after the rehearsal. We ask that those willing to join us in this effort come to the rehearsal having thought of businesses to approach, then stay for a short meeting to sign up for your selected businesses and to receive useful information. We'll look forward to seeing you there!

On Sunday December 9, 2001 more than 150 singers from the Cambridge Community Chorus gathered at MIT’s Kresge Auditorium to present their 12^th annual performance of Handel’s Messiah. A hardy audience of more than 700 attended despite several inches of snow that fell earlier.

This year’s Messiah season was notable for several developments and accomplishments. The exceptional number of singers who participated this year taxed the rehearsal facilities at St. Paul AME in Cambridge and at the Cochran Chapel at Phillips Academy (a problem we’re delighted to have). Under the continued direction of William Thomas the Chorus has achieved steadily higher levels of musicianship and artistry in performance and added "But Thanks be to God", the most recently learned chorus and one of the few remaining Messiah choruses missing from a complete performance. The concert was recorded and a CD is now in production with release scheduled for fall 2002.

We’re all indebted to Paul Parravano and the MIT community for making Kresge Auditorium available to the Chorus for the concert and to St. Paul AME Church for providing rehearsal space. Thanks also to Concert Producer Donna Killoran,"Sargent at Arms" Karen Greenwood, Kathy Williams, Nancy Townsend, the orchestra and of course everyone’s favorite Music Director and good fellow, William Thomas.

The post-concert supper in the basement of St. Bartholomew’s was a great success with over 100 people attending, eating and singing while Leonard Ciampa "tickled" the ivories. Thanks to Father Foxx and Esther Layne at St. Bartholomew’s, and to Merri Ansara who prepared turkeys, hams, lasagna, Veda Robinson for several trays of mac & cheese, Sandra Fairbanks for arranging Toscanini’s donation of ice cream, ever popular; and Phyllis Rawlins for organizing the food service and cleanup.

Due to this year’s election the City of Cambridge was unable to organize it’s celebration of Martin Luther King’s birthday. The City is trying to move responsibility for the celebration from the Mayor’s office to the City Council in an attempt to avoid a recurrence of this year’s disappointment. Celebrating Martin Luther King’s birthday has been a popular opportunity for Chorus members to do some Gospel singing under the direction of Donnell Patterson.

The Board of Directors and the Planning Committee met on Jananuary 5 at the home of Stash Horowitz. Ever supportive and resourceful, Stash hosted the meeting "in absentia" when he was unexpectedly called out of town. The next Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 26 at 8:30pm following an abbreviated Chorus rehearsal.

Thank you to Sam Pilato and Joan Leib for continuing to operate our web site and email system.

Tape and CD recordings of our Spring 2001 concert featuring the Fauré Requiem and J.S. Bach Cantata #4 (Christ Lag in Todesbanden) are now available for $10. Keep in mind that recordings of Chorus performances always make nice gifts to family and friends. There may still be a few more copies of the Messiah 2000 ($15) and Spring 1999 ($10) concerts. See Karen Greenwood at rehearsal for details or leave her a message at (781) 229-2574 (be sure to include your phone number).

Chorus canvas tote bags are still available. Donna Killoran will bring some to the first rehearsal on February 19th. They’re still only $10 for interested Chorus members and friends, make a nice gift, and help to support the Chorus.

April or May, 2002   Participation in the Cambridge Holocaust Remembrance Ceremony

May 19, 2002            Spring Concert

Summer 2002            Summer voice classes

December 2002         A delegation of Chorus members travels to Tokyo Japan to perform
                                   Messiah with the Joseph Neisma Hardy Chorus of Tokyo Japan