True Concord Voices & Orchestra has emerged as Tucson’s most illustrious cultural export. Under the direction of Music Director Eric Holtan, True Concord engages singers and instrumentalists from across the country, performing repertoire that spans the celebrated masterworks of centuries past to world premieres by America’s finest composers.
Last season, True Concord made its Lincoln Center debut, which was hailed as a “highly polished…wonderful performance.” Its album, Far in the Heavens, garnered two Grammy nominations and won for Best Contemporary Classical Composition.
"True Concord" comes from Shakespeare’s Sonnet No. 8, in which he describes the emotional impact of music. The original 14th century meaning of ‘concord’ is ‘hearts together' — something we strive to achieve in our music-making between composer, performer and listener.
Eric Holtan is the founding music director of True Concord. Since 2002, he has served as minister of music, art and liturgy at Dove of Peace Lutheran Church, and from 2005-2012 was assistant director of the Tucson Symphony Orchestra Chorus.
Eric launched his professional music career at age 12 as a church organist. A native of Minnesota, he studied organ, voice and conducting at Gustavus Adolphus College. He holds degrees in music from Gustavus Adolphus College, The University of Iowa (MA in choral conducting), and The University of Arizona (doctor of musical arts in choral and orchestra conducting). He also served as the UA Opera Theater’s chorus master.
Ensembles under Eric’s direction have performed in the great cathedrals of central Europe, in an international choral festival in Russia, and as invited performers at the conventions of Music Educators Association and American Choral Director’s Association. Since founding True Concord, Eric has conducted performances of many of the most significant choral works in the canon, and has commissioned some of America’s leading composers for world premiere performances. Last season, Eric conducted True Concord on its New York debut at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall for a special concert on the 14th anniversary of 9/11.
Last week I was both inspired and challenged while attending the first gathering of Large Club Presidents at the Zone Institute held in Santa Barbara. Our two zones, 25/26, encompass twenty three of the 538 districts in the Rotary world. The major objective for such a meeting was to create a large club community and network where presidents of clubs this size can share resources, ideas, information and collaborations in the future.One of the major challenges faced by all is in retaining and engaging current membership while attracting young professionals to our clubs. Another challenge is achieving diversity in membership, keeping the clubs vibrant, full of fellowship opportunities, and being community-involved, both locally and globally.
The top five takeaways I noted were:
* all clubs face the challenge of recruiting young professionals. Spokane, San Diego and San Francisco appear to have some success in this area.
* build infrastructure to attract young professionals that include networking events, mentorship activities and opportunities for this specific group to meet separately. Involve younger members in leadership positions, including boards and committees.
* take on the responsibility to make your members love Rotary, as shared by RI President-Elect, Ian Riseley. Also, see the close correlation between your local foundation and The Rotary Foundation. Those members who give to their Club Foundations also give to The Rotary Foundation.
* increase work/services projects and networking events. Consider weekly networking socials and monthly service projects. When the topics turned to fundraising events, our Tucson Rotary Club was at the top with our amazing Tucson Classics Car Show.
* make the newsletter relevant and more informative. Use social media like Facebook and Twitter more and Website less.
Our RI Director, Brad Howard, who organized the large club gathering, stated that even though Rotary was birthed in Chicago, it was defined on the West Coast of the United States. Half of the first 10 Rotary Clubs in the world were born in this region and many innovations started here.
Tucson Rotary Club is a creative club in a creative zone. Let's continue to shine in this area and make our fabulous club even greater.
Our full house meeting was opened by PRESIDENT ELLIE with a quote, “thank god the election is over”. There was a Moment of Silence for Norm Salmon, CPA. Norm was a quiet man who joined our club almost 20 years ago; we will miss you.
CHARLOTTE HARRIS gave our Inspiration about the El Tour de Tucson bike ride and Rotary’s quest to end polio worldwide. GARY HIRSCH played the piano and KIMBERLY ELY led us in the song, “My Country Tis Of Thee”, one of America’s favorite songs.
JIM LUBINSKI also gave KIMBERLY her blue badge – congrats KIMBERLY!
PRESIDENT ELLIE thanked STEVE CHRISTY, STU GOLDMAN, KATHLEEN WICKS and Ralph’s Moving and Storage for coordinating and moving our new/old piano – thank you everyone!
MATT BLAIR introduced the guests and there were no birthday celebrations at today’s meeting – I guess there is not much happening in March! CHARLOTTE HARRIS introduced a new member, JULIE PAULSON from Waddell & Reed – welcome JULIE.
SERGEANT AT ARMS FONDA INSLEY had no fines and our auctioneer, MATT BLAIR auctioned off AZ Theatre tickets and UofA football tickets. Under the Announcement category, DARRELL STEWART needs chefs for our club member Social Mixer. Please call DARRELL and start cooking some chili – we need food! KATHY KITAGAWA spoke about her trip to Jordan and the persecution of Christian people in Syria. JIM WOOD showed off his brand new baby girl with some wonderful pictures on the screen.
Our program was introduced by RALPH PHILLIPS – bicycle builder extraordinaire. David Yetman, star of the “Desert Speaks” spoke about “In the Americas”, a national syndicated PBS nature show. His one and only co-producer is Dan Duncan. David thanked our one and only JACK PARRIS for helping him to launch his career and the “Desert Speaks”. Dave also gave us a preview of his upcoming “In the Americas” shows. David’s dad was a member of the Duncan, AZ Rotary Club which had 18 members. It was a great presentation and everyone enjoys David’s shows. Cuba, Brazil and Ecuador are on the show’s agenda.
Our meeting was closed by a toast from PRESIDENT ELLIE.
The hiking group had a great time two weeks ago hiking the Grand Canyon, our third trip in four years. This year we had 18 Rotarians, family and friends. We hiked to the bottom of the Canyon off the South Rim on Thursday, spent two nights at Phantom Ranch and hiked out on Saturday. Here is a part of the group getting ready to hike down South Kaibab Trail Thursday morning. Ellie and a group of three other hikers tested out hiking down Bright Angel trail.
Here we are on the trail….
On our day at the bottom of the Canyon a group headed to Ribbon Falls, a beautiful stop close to the start of the North Rim trail. Another group hiked on the bluffs over Phantom Ranch.
Friday night we hung out at our Phantom Ranch Cabin for cocktail hour….
Saturday morning…and the hike out came way to early…
If any of this looks like fun to you…or if hiking the Grand Canyon is on your “Bucket List” come check out the Hiking Club…it is a great RCOT Fellowship and another way to enjoy your Rotary Club.
Pre-Set Field Greens Salad with Ranch and Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressings or Fruit Cup
DoubleTree Cookies Served Family Style
Coffee, Decaf or Iced Tea
Thanksgiving; - Sliced Traditional Tom Turkey, Mashed Potatoes with Gravy, Green Bean Almondine and Cranberry Sauce
Chef Salad; - Ham, Turkey, Cheddar/Jack Cheese Blend, Hard Boiled Egg, Tomato, Cucumber & Croutons over Chopped Romaine Lettuce. (PLEASE DO NOT ASK THE SERVERS TO ALTER THE SALAD, IT WILL BE SERVED AS LISTED ABOVE. NO CHEF SALADS MAY BE ORDERED AFTER THE FRIDAY DEADLINE.)
Vegetarian; - Stuffed Acorn Squash with Vegetarian White Bean Stuffing
Fresh Fruit Plate; - Fresh Seasonal Fruit served with Flavored Greek Yogurt and Low Fat Cottage Cheese
NESDAYS, 12:00 PM-1:20 PM
True Concord Voices & Orchestra has emerged as Tucson’s most illustrious cultural export. Under the direction of Music Director Eric Holtan, True Concord engages singers and instrumentalists from across the country, performing repertoire that spans the celebrated masterworks of centuries past to world premieres by America’s finest composers.
MATT BLAIR introduced the guests and there were no birthday celebrations at today’s meeting – I guess there is not much happening in March! CHARLOTTE HARRIS introduced a new member, JULIE PAULSON from Waddell & Reed – welcome JULIE.
up had a great time two weeks ago hiking the Grand Canyon, our third trip in four years. This year we had 18 Rotarians, family and friends. We hiked to the bottom of the Canyon off the South Rim on Thursday, spent two nights at Phantom Ranch and hiked out on Saturday. Here is a part of the group getting ready to hike down South Kaibab Trail Thursday morning. Ellie and a group of three other hikers tested out hiking down Bright Angel trail.
e on the trail….
