Yours In Song - Issue No. 14
October 2018
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Greetings Members of the Orpheus Club of Philadelphia.
The 147th Orpheus Club concert season is upon us!
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This issues will cover the following topics:
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OC Late Summer Garden Party
As President Jonathan Turner said, it was a “proper English Garden Party,” with lots of rain but also delicious food, flowing beverages, happy fellowship and great musical fun. On Sept. 9th , more than 50 Associates and guest gathered with 30 Singing Members and guests at the landmark Hill-Physick House on S. 4th Street in Center City for the first annual Late Summer get-together to kick off the new season.
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It was all dry under the sturdy tent that covered most of the garden, and there was plenty of room for an audience to enjoy performances by the Rat Pack (with a number by Earl’s Pearls) and later, by almost half the Club, with group numbers and humorous solos by Jonathan and keyboard wizard Joe Claffy.
Before the afternoon was over there was also spontaneous OC karaoke and even some lawn dancing! Singing Member Stephen & Alexandra Ujifusa’s young son Isaac made sure his phone was off during the singing (photo below).
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We are very grateful to Singing Member Peter Bretschger for organizing such a wonderful event. His reward will probably be getting to do it again next year, and he would love to hear from both attendees and those who couldn’t make it with any feedback / suggestions for future events.
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OC Trip to Italy
We hope you enjoyed Associate John Gregory’s wonderful description of the trip in the last issue of Yours In Song. If it whetted your appetite for more sights and sounds of the tour, you can now see a wonderful video produced by James Turner, the son of our current club President.
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You can also view the video on the Orpheus Club website by visiting the home page and scrolling down to “Our Italian Holiday.”
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P.S. The next item below on the home page gives you the details on next year’s travel adventure, our “Songs of the Sea” cruise to Bermuda in July 2019!
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More Orpheus Club Travels
Ahoy, Bermuda
 The 2019 Orpheus Cruise to Bermuda will set sail on July 8, 2019 and return Sunday, July 14th. Prices start as low as $1,450 per person (double occupancy) and will include a private cocktail party every night at sea.
Space IS limited so consider making your reservation now. Call Celebrity Cruise’s Groups Department at 888-717-4907. Please reference our group name “Songs of the Sea” and our Group ID#: 6354659. We recommend you select the “complimentary drink option” when you sign up. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our Cruise Director, Win Dougherty at win_dougherty@yahoo.com or by phone at (610) 952-1926.
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Fifth Quartet Contest Finals
Saturday, Nov. 10th at the Clubhouse
Your favorite singers are already hard at work preparing for the OCQC Semi-Finals that will take place after our rehearsal on Monday, October 29th. Maestro Shankweiler will provide feedback that night and select the quartets to move on to the Finals.
That is when – in keeping with our new tradition – the Associate Members in attendance will hear a spirited competition and then vote to choose the next four Singing Members to have their names inscribed on the Van Dervort Cup. The winners also get a "choice" performance slot in the Mid-Winter Concerts!
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The runners-up this past year "Go West".
Matt Lewis, Tim Lengel, Derrick Smith, and Frank DeSimone
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Event Details:
The Saturday evening festivities at the Clubhouse will include cocktails and Maureen’s fine hors d’oeuvres. Dress is business / cocktail attire. Come join us and make your vote count! Seating is very limited, so save the date and be ready to respond to an email invitation that will be coming to you shortly from Co-Chairs Michael Liggera (mliggera@gmail.com) and Alfred Bergbauer (alfred_bergbauer@yahoo.com).
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Quartet Contest Recording - TRULY the last call!
If you would like an AUDIO CD of last year’s contest event for $15, please contact me at tratner@comcast.net immediately! I’m about to put in the order to make the copies that people have asked for. (I have the orders from Associates Howard & Reidel.)
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New Associate Member Welcome Party
Thursday, Nov. 15th at the Clubhouse
Twice each year, we welcome new Associates to the Orpheus Family by inviting them and a spouse / guest (plus Associates who have proposed new members) to an exclusive, FREE cocktail party.
It’s an easy-going occasion to meet fellow “Classmates” (and have a class picture), tour the Clubhouse, get a brief orientation, enjoy some libation, food, and music. Dress is business / cocktail attire. (The Spring Party will be on Thursday, May 16th.)
New members should be on the lookout for an email invitation from Co-Chairs Brad Schrader (brad.schrader@gmail.com) and Mark Still (mark.r.g.still@gmail.com).
P.S. If you are proposing a new member this Fall, please inform them of this date, and put it on your calendar too! Come collect your etched OC tumbler.
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OC at the Powel House
Sunday, Dec. 2nd at the Powel House
 Come kick off the holiday season and celebrate several Philadelphia traditions. Re-live Christmas-past at this beautiful landmark residence at 244 S. 3rd Street with an open bar and sumptuous buffet.
In our opinion, the highlight is caroling led by members of the Orpheus Club. From 5:30 to 8pm, join us in festive cocktail attire. Contact MARGARET LONZETTA mhlonz@comcast.net, if you’re not already on the mailing list. Come, with guests and friends!
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OC Christmas Party
Saturday, Dec. 8th at the Clubhouse
Join us for this exclusive holiday gathering of Orpheus Singing and Associate Members at our home, suitably festooned for the occasion. There will be drink and food – likely, another victimized pig – and music, caroling and definitely dancing!
You don’t want to miss it. Look for your email invitation later in the Fall or contact our event Chairman, Kevin Chemidlin (kevinchemidlin@gmail.com).
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OC Christmas Concert
Wednesday, Saturday, December 12th – Academy of Music
Save the Date! Invite your friends and prospective members! Plan on dinner at the OC Clubhouse and an easy bus ride to the Academy!
We have a wonderful program planned for our Associates, including selections by the Gwynedd Mercy Academy Chorale and the Fairmont Brass. And plan to join us at the Clubhouse Afterparty. Associates can reserve up to 4 spaces (@ $35) on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact Maureen at the Club Office for reservations: (215) 641-1872 or orpheusclubmanager@gmail.com.
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OC Family Update
Sad News.
We regret to inform you of the passing on July 26th of Singing Member Charlie Weston. Charlie spent many years overseas and then came home to form a successful travel agency with which he continued his world travels. After his return, he joined the Orpheus Club in 1996 upon the invitation of his college roommate, David Peake, and remained a stalwart member of the Second Bass section. Early on, he became a key member of the Revels lighting crew and helped present shows for many years. He was a lover of literature, the arts and music and actively shared those passions with his wife, Aliki and their children. More than thirty of Charlie’s brothers were privileged to “sing him out” at a memorial at the Clubhouse on September 15th.
Happy News!
We are delighted to congratulate our Club Manager, Maureen Walsh, on her June 23rd wedding to Patrick Carr and wish them all the best. She actually took some time off, but we were nice enough to save all her work for her return. We’re all lucky to have her back on the job, looking out for us and our Club.
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In The Mail...
You should soon be receiving our new season brochure and your account renewal notices. We look forward to welcoming all of you back for an exciting 147th season!
If something will prevent you from being with us again this season, please contact Maureen and let us know your situation. We would like to be able to stay in touch.
Yours In Song,
Tim Ratner
Newsletter Editor
C: 267.255.7400
E: tratner@comcast.net
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