Happy Holidays!

Our holiday season has been merry, especially since we have been receiving good news every week.

1. CMA/ASCAP First Prize for Adventurous Programming
2. Argosy Foundation Grant Awarded
3. Welcome Patrick Flaherty
4. Happy Holidays

1. *** CMA/ASCAP First Prize for Adventurous Programming ***
CMA/ASCAP awarded Del Sol First Prize for Adventurous Programming, Ensemble-Mixed Repertory. Thanks to the generous support from our fans that enables us to concentrate on producing quality new music,this is the second time in three seasons that Del Sol has won this top, national award. Given annually, the award recognizes ensembles, presenters and festivals that have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to 20th- and 21st-century music, especially works written in the past 25 years. In addition to considering originality, the independent panel of judges looked for innovative presentation and audience-development strategies. The prizes will be given out at the Chamber Music America National Conference in New York City on January 5, 2008, which will be CMA’s 30th Anniversary. The awards are given jointly by Chamber Music America and ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers).

2. *** Argosy Foundation Grant Awarded ***
The Argosy Foundation’s Contemporary Music Fund has awarded DSPAO a generous grant of $12,000 for our Pacific Rim project (CD recording and May 2008 concerts). We will be working closely with our recording engineer during the next few months to edit the raw material we recorded at Skywalker Studios this past fall in time for a May 2008 release of the new CD. Donors have been critical for this project; contributors of $1,000 or more by February 2008 will be recognized as a sponsor in the CD liner notes.

3. *** Welcome Patrick Flaherty ***
This month DSPAO welcomed Patrick Flaherty to our board of directors. Mr. Flaherty is a 30 year broadcasting veteran with producing experience at the national and local level. Most recently he produced KQED TV’s “Spark,” the award winning local PBS program about arts and culture in the Bay Area. Last year he produced the Del Sol String Quartet story for “Spark,” first aired in April 2007 and rebroadcast this past October. Mr. Flaherty has a long standing commitment to the arts.

4. *** Happy Holidays ***
As the year draws to an end, we want to pause and thank you for your interest in and support of our work. We are thrilled to have such an educated, generous and excited public that inspires us to continue our vision to move new music forward. Thank you so much for your financial support that has been crucial to our success!
May the special gifts of health, peace, and happiness be yours throughout the upcoming year.