New officers

Last evening the Chorus adopted a budget and elected new officers:

President: Karen Van Stee,

President -Elect: Julie Moomaw

VP: Robert Cypher

Secretary: Ramona Daugherty

Treasurer: Bruce Dillon

Board Member-at-Large: Margaret Figgins

Board Member-at-Large: Bruce Johnson

Board Member-at Large: Richard Vaught

Karen will call a board meeting for early in July.

Directions to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Strasburg

Directions to St. Paul Lutheran from Margaret:

You can get to Strasburg by going up Route 11 to Strasburg or going via I81 If you go I81, get off at the Toms Brook exit and turn right.  This takes you to Route 11. At Route 11 make a left and continue to Strasburg.  As you are entering Strasburg look for the Shell Gas Station on the left.  Make a left turn beside the Shell onto Capon St.  Go a little distance on Capon and make a right onto West Washington St.  You will come to the church parking lot on your right and the church is on your left.

Concert Attire

Just a reminder regarding concert attire, especially for the newbies.

Men

Black suit or tux, black jacket and pants

Ironed white shirt or tuxedo shirt with black bowtie

Black socks and shoes
No aftershave or cologne

Ladies

Our three-piece black ensemble; jacket, top and skirt.

Black hose 

Closed toe black shoes, heels or flats (your comfort choice)

Earrings may be worn

No necklaces
No perfume or cologne

Map of Broadway:directions via Timberville

Map of Broadway: find the high school. LCCOB is on Brethren Rd. across from the high school.

Coming south on Rt.42 from Timberville, turn right on Springbrook Rd.  When you get near the high school, turn left on Brethren Rd. (the first left off Springbrook).

Our New Artistic Director

Greetings to everyone,

I am pleased to announce that at its meeting on July 25, 2013, the Board of Directors of Masterworks Chorus, upon the unanimous recommendation of the MWC Search Committee, named Mr. Scott Zane Smith as Interim Artistic Director.  Please join me in welcoming and congratulating Mr. Smith!

Mr. Smith (Scott), a native of Rockingham County, is professor of voice at James MadisonUniversity, and has an extensive background in choral and sacred music, as well as mixed voice and women's ensembles.  Some highlights of his career are:

* Current James Madison University professor

* Past professor at Shenandoah Conservatory and Mary Baldwin College

* Past Rockingham County schools system choir director

* Over 30 years experience as Minister of Music with Valley churches

* Current D.M.A. Music Education candidate at Shenandoah University

* Current professional affiliations in American Choral Directors' Association, Virginia Music Educators' Association, and Virginia Choral Directors' Association

Scott comes to Masterworks Chorus following the successful and creative six-year leadership of Dr. Betty Karol Wilson, and as a member of the audience during a performance of last year's Christmas concert, he has heard the blend of voices and styles of music which make MWC a unique gem in the Shenandoah Valley. 

Currently reviewing music for MWC's upcoming Christmas season, Scott has access to numerous musical scores and resources.  Practice begins Monday, September 9, when Scott will introduce us to his engaging style and his years of choral experience.  Come and join us for this, the 17th season of Masterworks Chorus of the Shenandoah Valley!

Mark Seymour

President, Masterworks Chorus

Click here to learn 7 ways to be a better singer!

http://www.chorusamerica.org/singers/7-ways-be-better-singer

Better brains through music

This is your brain on singing

BBC:

If a person's "speech centre" is damaged by a stroke, they can learn to use their "singing centre" instead.
...
Previous brain imaging studies have shown that this "singing centre" is overdeveloped in the brains of professional singers.

During the therapy sessions, patients are taught to put their words to simple melodies.

Professor Schlaug said that after a single session, a stroke patients who was are not able to form any intelligible words learned to say the phrase "I am thirsty" by combining each syllable with the note of a melody.

Have trouble hearing conversations at a party?

Try practicing the piano before you leave the house.

Musicians—from karaoke singers to professional cello players—are better able to hear targeted sounds in a noisy environment, according to new research that adds to evidence that music makes the brain work better.