Happy New Year!
It has been a privilege to work with you folks over the past year. I want to thank all of the Board members – Sam, Dori, Caryl, Roy, Dave, and Max. I also want to thank Tom and Hank who are not on the Board, but bring their insights to each meeting anyway. Each of these folks work very hard to continue building on the vision to nurture, promote and preserve acoustic music in and around Frederick County. 2017 saw that vision growing as presented concerts in The Performing Arts Factory, and FSK mall. We took our Open Mic to Sky Stage several times. We provided two days of music for The Arts Festival in June.
We added a second song circle at Homewood at Crumland Farms. We started a lecture series at the C. Burr Artz Library. We continue hosting and supporting several Open Mics around the area. Our newsletter is always filled with valuable information for those who play and/or enjoy acoustic music. We have been working with Chords of Change to put together “Stepping Up Frederick” which will feature young songwriters.
2018 promises to be another great year. We will continue hosting Open Mics at Sky Stage each month beginning in May and running through October. We have several concerts in the works including a very special one at The Weinberg in October! We will also continue to look for ways to explore partnerships with a variety of music organizations around Frederick. New Spire Arts and Frederick Arts Council are both looking for ways to bring more music performances to Frederick. We would love to see Frederick become a music destination in much the same way that Austin, TX is.
One of the best ways that you can help is by simply attending acoustic music performances. There are a number of coffee shops and restaurants offering music throughout the week. There are Open Mics scattered around Frederick County. There are concerts by solos and groups – choirs, choruses, symphonies, ensembles. All of these can use your support. Make it a point to see a live music act every week! (Hmmm, good New Year resolution!)
Music is a wonderful gift. I find that anytime I am feeling a bit down, or frustrated I can start humming or singing and the world just seems a bit brighter. I hope that works for you, too!
There are gifts from the heavens, there are gifts from the ground
There are gifts we receive all the year around
And when we bow our heads, open hearts and mind
We become a gift to all humankind
(words by Richard Hill)
May your journey into 2018 be filled with unexpected wonder!
Peace,
Rick