Hello! I would like to extend an invitation to join our Festival Chorus to sing, whenever your schedule permits, at St. Andrew's Church in Highland Park (near the Zoo at 5801 Hampton Street 15206). Our humble beginnings of presenting major musical efforts has blossomed to the next level. What began as hosting the Hereford Choristers has evolved into the 'All Saints Festival' featuring orchestral and choral music. Again, we are growing by soliciting (and receiving!) grants and donations during this third season as the newly incorporated Pittsburgh Festival Orchestra. Under the Musical Directorship of Melissa McBride, the chamber orchestra will be performing Schubert’s Mass in G with choir and soloists on Sunday, November 7, 2004, during the 11:00 o'clock AM service. This will be a liturgical performance as the ordinary of the mass with orchestral and organ accompaniment. Last year's performance was unique with choral risers in the West Transept, instrumentalists at the Crossing, and soloists in the Chancel. A full orchestral concert will be given at 8:00 o'clock PM on Monday, November 8, 2004, featuring Gigout’s Grand Choer Dialogue for Brass and Organ, Gabrieli’s Canzon, Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy, and Schumann’s Symphony #3, the “Rhenish.” Special soloists include Peter J. Luley, organ, Linda Ellison, piano, and the St. Andrew’s Festival Chorus, Peter J. Luley, Choirmaster. We are going to have several rehearsals in order to accommodate everyone's schedules and learning requirements. The first get together is going to be this coming Saturday, September 25, 2004, beginning at 2:00 o'clock PM for a "read-through" of the music. There will be evening gatherings scheduled for Thursdays on October 14, 2004, October 21, 2004, and October 28, 2004, beginning at 8:15 o'clock PM. We are going to have a dress rehearsal on Saturday, November 6, 2004, from 10:00 o'clock AM through Noon in order to prepare for both events. I would leave it up to the individual singers as to how many of the rehearsals to attend, depending on schedules and familiarity with the music. We can supply music to any singers. In order to prepare seating and extra music, etc., it would be helpful if we know in advance how many singers are interested. Please leave a message with your name and contact information at 412.901.8048 (cellular) or 412.661.3274 (residence) or by e-mail at peterluley@aol.com Thank you in advance for spreading this invitation as, together, we do everything in our power to enjoy music. PLEASE INVITE YOUR FRIENDS, RELATIVES, CO-WORKERS, AND NEIGHBORS! Everyone is welcome! David M. Charonis St. Andrew's Church at Highland Park September 2004 _________________________________________________________________ Check out Election 2004 for up-to-date election news, plus voter tools and more! http://special.msn.com/msn/election2004.armx