Dear Members,
Our final branch meeting for 2012-2013 academic year was graced with a delightful duo performance by our own Kevin Kao and his partner (and girlfriend) Clare Chiang featuring the Arensky Suite Op. 15, second movement: Valse, for two pianos. They gave a musical and artistic performance of this work and we thank them for responding with such alacrity to Melody Lu’s invitation to play on such short notice! Thank you Melody for arranging it!
Before the performance we had the investiture of the new board:
Melody Lu, President;
Chi Asada – 1st Vice President
Anna Kim – 2nd Vice President/Membership Secretary
Margaret Tseng – Treasurer
Sandely Miller – CM Chair
Naoko Ono– Festival Chair
Kevin Kao– Venue Chair
Laura Chang– Recording Secretary
Twenty-two members participated in our on-line voting – thank you! Under the leadership of Melody Lu the new, vibrant and very able South Coast board will continue providing excellent programs and assistance to our members. Melody presented me with a beautiful crystal commemorative memorial etched in a dedication from the board; I was deeply touched and it is proudly on display in my studio. Thank you board members!
Sunday, May 5 at 3:00 p.m. the Senior Recital took place at Chi Asada’s beautiful new performance hall and gardens, Hoson House in Tustin. Dr. Xiaole Li worked very hard at organizing and creating a beautiful program and providing the refreshments for the reception immediately following the recital. There were four performers featuring flute and piano, and it was about 45 minutes in length with a nice variety of compositions. Ladies, thank you very much in advance for your hospitality and efforts in making this recital a memorable and special event!
On May 11 MSSL gave a special Mother’s Day Recital for Park Plaza residents. Each female audience member received a small gift from the performers. I would like to thank Victoria Park for arranging this lovely event and for her dedication and excellence in running and overseeing all of the South Coast MSSL 2012-2013 recitals! I would also like to thank the management at Park Plaza for opening their doors to our students thus providing them with the opportunity to give of themselves to the senior community through the beauty and greatness of classical music!
On May 18 Laura Chang and her assistant, Dr. Felix Tao Chang chaired a smooth running Contemporary Flare festival. Andréas Eckstein created a stunning printed program and efficient and aesthetically pleasing set-up. As per our usual the judges were impressed by the high level of performance exhibited at this fun event. Laura, Felix and Andréas we appreciate your hard work and dedication and many thanks to all of the teacher helpers too!
A quick reminder to teachers to renew your membership: so far there are 32 teachers who have not yet paid their dues. Deadline is July 31st.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the following people for their dedication and service to our branch:
Student Events & Program Chairs:
Charla Edgar:Adult Workshop Chair and Branch Historian; Chi Asada: SC Jr. Bach and Sounds of Baroque Chair; Sandely Miller: CM Chair; Margaret Tseng: CM Theory Chair; Anna Kim: CM Strings Chair; Anna Choi: CM Woodwinds Chair; Jennifer Puhl: CM Branch Honors Recital Chair; Laura Chang: Branch Piano Evaluation Chair; Naoko Ono: Classical Showcase Chair; Junko Nojima: Romantic Showcase Chair; Dr. Emily Hung: Composers Today Chair; Laura Chang, & Dr. Felix Tao Chang: Contemporary Flare Chair and Co-Chair; Ana Maria and Andréas Eckstein: Masquerade Recital Fundraiser Chairs and Benefactors; Victoria Park: MSSL Chair; Dr. Xiaole Li: Senior Graduates Recital Chair; Anna Kim: Strings, Voice and Winds Festival Chair; Lisa Honea: VOCE Chair; Kevin Kao: Masquerade Recital set-up helper.
South Coast Board of Directors and Committees Chairs:
Melody Lu, 1st VP and Branch Meeting Program Chair; Sijie Ling, 2nd VP/Membership Secretary& Website Coordinator; Margaret Tseng, Treasurer; Laura Chang, Recording Secretary and Handbook; Sandely Miller, Certificate of Merit Chair; Chizuko Asada, Festival Chair; Jennifer Puhl, Venue Chair; Andréas Eckstein, Honorary Managing Director; Esther Chen, Directory; Andy Huynh,Webmaster.
It has been three years now since the inception of MTAC South Coast branch. This is thanks to the excellent efforts of Melody Lu, Sandely Miller and Ting Hsu-Maruya who, at the suggestion of the state CM Council, pioneered our branch. I was invited on board as your president and I can say in all sincerity that it has truly been an honor and a pleasure to serve you in this capacity. We have an amazing group of talented, helpful and amicable members. Let’s continue in this spirit of camaraderie and always strive to uphold the level of excellence that our small and privileged branch embodies!
In sincere gratitude,
Vivian Lee R. Field, M.M.