Newtown Savings Bank Takes Leadership Role

For 2007 Holiday Concert

A donation by Newtown Savings Bank to Newtown Friends of Music will help in large part the financial support of  this year’s Holiday Concert by The Concert Society Chamber Orchestra.

The Seventh Annual Holiday Concert, with the chamber orchestra returning under the direction of Richard E. Serbagi, will take place on Friday, December 28, at 8 pm, at Trinity Episcopal Church, 36 Main Street.

John J. Martocci, president and chief executive officer of Newtown Savings Bank, presented a check for $2.500 to Ellen K. Parrella, president of Newtown Friends of Music. This donation will be followed by contributions from People’s United Bank, Union Savings Bank, Savings Bank of Danbury, Studley & White and Associates, Hall & Savarese PC, the Richard Trifiro Family Foundation, and other patrons, to be used to underwrite the costs of the 24-person chamber orchestra and the soloists who will be performing this traditional concert.

Spearheading donations by private sponsors is James T. Morley, Jr, who has received commitments from Mr and Mrs John Madzula, Mr and Mrs Joseph DiCandido, and others, as sponsors and co-sponsors.

Mrs Parrella expressed her appreciation to the many art loving citizens of Newtown for whom this annual concert has become a much anticipated holiday event, coming just after Christmas and before New Year’s Eve. To be featured prominently on the program this year, in addition to the full chamber orchestra, is a return engagement by the highly admired soprano Maria Ferrante, who will sing several selections.  New this year will be the participation of the Newtown High School Singers under the direction of Choral Director John Harned. 

Graciela Arguedas will make her debut appearance performing Mozart’s Piano Concerto in C, Opus 21, known by some as the “Elvira Madigan Concerto” because the famous second movement was featured in the 1967 Swedish film Elvira Madigan. (The limpid sounds bring to mind a lazy boat ride on a placid lake, which was the imagery used in the movie. This has led to an anachronistic nickname of Elvira Madigan for the concerto, although the use of this nickname has decreased in recent years as memories of the seldom-seen Swedish film have faded.)

Proceeds from ticket sales for this concert are earmarked for to the benefit of Newtown Friends of Music School Outreach Programs. These outreach programs have been in place since 2000 and have been underwritten entirely by Newtown Friends of Music at no cost to the school system or the tax payer. Twice each year a renowned group of classical musicians spend an entire morning in one of Newtown’s schools to give mini master classes to the students and encourage, cajole and teach the students and by enriching their programs. Faculty members and the school board have been enthusiastic about the school outreach programs.

Newtown Friends of Music feel it their obligation to attempt to somewhat ameliorate budget cuts that affect music instruction and appreciation. All Newtown students are invited to attend NFoM concerts free of charge (accompanied by an adult) and to interact with the artists.

Tickets for the Holiday Concert are available at Newtown Savings Bank, Cyrenius H. Booth Library, Drug Center, Newtown Country Club, and other venues in Newtown. They can also be purchased by sending a check together with a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Newtown Friends of Music, P O Box 295, Newtown CT  06470-0295.

Pleae note tickets will not be sold at the Church, nor on the day of the concert.  A total of only 250 tickets are being sold and interest in this annual affair is strong.

For further information call 426-6470. More information and photos of past School Outreach programs can be found at NewtownFriendsOfMusic.org