Dear Members and Friends,
 
Last month I mentioned that preparations for the Founder's Concert were well under way. Listening to a rehearsal yesterday I was struck by the energy and excitement of the performers. You are in for a treat. In addition, refreshments will be provided during the intermission. The complete program can be found here.
 
We have a new performing member, pianist Jason Chiu, and two new ensemble members, violinist Miriam Blatt and pianist Marlene Rogers. In addition, two of our members, Steve Cram and Sandy Watkins, have graciously agreed to join the Board. Please welcome these folks in their new posts.
 
The annual CCPAS Piano Master Class, featuring Paul Hersh, took place on April 21. By all accounts, Mr. Hersh's master class was inspiring: he combined erudition, communicative ability, and great love of music to the extent that audience and students were ecstatic.
 
Diana Chave will be stepping down from the Publicity Chair and Richard Woodruff will assume this responsibility. Mary Ellen Fennessey will be leaving the Data Base Manager office and Kelly Walker has graciously volunteered to take that job. On behalf of CCPAS, I would like to thank Diana and Mary Ellen for all of their time and effort. By the way, there are other positions we still need to fill: Membership Chairman, Concert Greeters Chairman, Concert Reminders Chairman, and Newsletter Editor. If you are interested in any of these roles, please call me.
 
For the last several years CCPAS has kept its dues constant, even as operating expenses - postage,
printing costs, hall rental, etc. - have increased. This year we will have to "bite the bullet" and
increase our membership dues, even if ever so slightly, if we are to keep up the high standards of our organization. Beginning with the 2012 - 2013 concert season, individual memberships will increase from $30.00 to $35.00 and family and group memberships will increase from $35.00 to $40.00.
 
The concert season is starting to wind down with the last of the Tuesday Evening and Friday Morning
Concerts this month. Thanks to you all, and to our knowledgeable Board members who have helped me every step of the way, I have very much enjoyed serving as President this year. And at each concert I attend, I am reminded that the real reason we exist, the reason, in fact, that Rosamond Davis founded CCPAS so many years ago, is the music that our musicians bring to all of us. Please make every effort to attend our remaining concerts. Bring your family and your friends - they won't be disappointed!
 
Diane