Dear Student / Parent / Music Teacher:

The Music Academy of the Wests MERIT (Music Education Reinforces Intellect and Talent) Program is excited to be heading into our 14th year. We offer chamber music training for talented young musicians, including vocalists, between the ages of 11 and 18. This years Summer MERIT Program will be held July 2 13, 9:30-3:00, Monday through Friday, with a final concert on Friday, July 13. This year we are excited to include vocal students along with our instrumental students.

The MERIT Program offers a unique chamber music experience for young musicians. Each MERIT student is paired with a mentor, a Music Academy of the West Fellow, who plays the same instrument. Daily activities include rehearsing with assigned chamber groups, taking private lessons with their Music Academy mentor, and participating in coaching sessions with MERIT mentors. Students also perform in masterclasses given by Music Academy Fellows and faculty artists. Last summer faculty artists Kathleen Winkler and Peter Salaff gave masterclasses. The program culminates with a final concert in the Music Academy of the Wests Hahn Hall, where each student performs with his or her chamber group.

As a full scholarship initiative, the MERIT Program allows students to take part in the two-week summer program regardless of their financial means. Throughout the programs history, MERIT students have had a profoundly positive musical experience and, for some, participation has been the determining factor in pursuing a career in music.

Please pass along this letter, along with the attached application and reference forms, to any young musicians you feel would benefit from this program. The application and reference forms (which may be sent separately) should be mailed to: Music Academy of the West, Attn: MERIT Program, 1070 Fairway Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93108. Applications must be postmarked by March 15, 2011. Additional forms can be downloaded at http://www.musicacademy.org/school/merit-program.

Auditions will be held in April; applicants should prepare two contrasting pieces of different styles and prepare to sight-read. Once an application is received, students are notified of their audition time.

If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Linda Holland, MERIT Program Director, at (805) 687-6875 or email her at meritprogram@musicacademy.org.

Sincerely,

Jocelyn Tipple
MERIT Program Coordinator

Dear PTB Coupon Clippers,

“KINDNESS IS A LANGUAGE THAT THE DEAF CAN HEAR AND THE BLIND CAN SEE. MAY THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS BRING YOU PEACE, THE GLADNESS OF CHRISTMAS GIVE YOU HOPE AND THE WARMTH OF CHRISTMAS GRANT YOU LOVE”

This was the message you recently received from the ladies who receive your coupons at Illesheim. We also received a very nice letter from the Army Community Service Division Chief at Wiesbaden, thanking us for our support of the program. "We provide individual and family services to over 50,000 service members [and] their spouses and children. All coupons..are greatly appreciated and widely used among all branches of the military." ..."We are very grateful for having so many people, such as yourself, back home supporting and lifting up our military personnel as they stand ready to defend and protect our freedom..." "...Your generosity and time is greatly appreciated."

This year, we sent $32,628.90 worth of coupons to the various military bases. Thanks to all of you who have taken the time to donate them. And special thanks to Merrilyn Damitz who wacks away with her paper cutter to clip the coupons.

Keep saving them over the holidays and bring them to rehearsal in January. The bases can accept coupons that are expired up to three months.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy New Year to you all!

BoomerLou

Please pass this on to all the PTB band members. Especially the lower brass!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXKDu6cdXLI

Thanks,

Al Hanson

I am looking for some volunteer tutors for my mixed Adv./Beg. Band class (12:40 - 1:30). Heather McBride is going to be coming over on Wednesdays to work with some of my Beg. flutes but the other sections that need help are: clarinet, trumpet, and baritone (and drums, of course!).

Karen Dutton
Instrumental Music Director
Santa Barbara Junior High
(805) 963-7751 ex. 139
kdutton@sbsdk12.org

John Morgan, our webmaster, took on the challenging task of redesigning the web site for multiple purposes - and spectacularly succeeded!

The site is visually pleasing, easy to navigate, and useful to the mixed audience who access it. Whether you are new and seeking general information, or an established member who needs a band camp date, or a director looking for music, the info is readily here for you.

Get started by accessing the home page

Note the ease of navigation to any part of our extensive web site. For example, you can easily get to a list of music played in concert by many New Horizons Groups, or items wanted or for sale and on and on.

Browse around the web site and note the good information for you and all the wonderful things about this Association.

I am selling beautiful tot bags containing the new PTB logo. Please see me for details