Buen Viaje a Cornell Winds!

1 Cornell Wind Ensemble
+ 70 Refurbished Instruments to donate
+ 3 Costa Rican schools
+ 1 Santa Cruz Cultural Festival
= A trip worth taking twice!

Dr. Cynthia Johnston Turner, PAI Wind Ensemble conductor, and Matthew Marsit, PAI staff conductor, are off to Costa Rica January 9, 2008 with the Cornell University Wind Ensemble.

While there, the ensemble will deliver donated refurbished instruments to two schools and catch up with a third they visited in 2006.

"The 2006 tour was transformative for all parties involved. One of the things that we learned is that we got just as much, if not more, out of the giving than the students and communities to whom we gave," said Cynthia Johnston Turner, director of wind ensembles in the Department of Music. "CU Winds believes in service and trying to make the world a bit better. We also believe that giving the opportunity to make music to a young person can change their life for the better. This year, we've doubled our efforts."

Read the entire article at the Cornell University Chronicle Online site: http://www.news.cornell.edu/stories/Dec07/CostaRica.return.da.html

More about Cornell University Wind Ensemble http://www.cuwinds.com/

Cornell University Music http://www.arts.cornell.edu/music/index.html

In Memoriam

Over the past eighteen months, PAI’s dear friend, Denise Taylor, courageously fought a battle with lymphoma. Last summer, her devoted husband (PAI’s musical theater director) tirelessly provided her with love and support at the same time he directed Oliver.

We are deeply sorry to announce that Denise passed away on December 29th.

For several years, Denise came to PAI with her husband, Bill Roudebush. While she was here, she generously shared her vast knowledge of the acting profession with PAI students, who quickly developed strong bonds of friendship with her. At PAI, Denise will always be remembered for the way her smile could light up a room and for her sincerity in every interaction.

Your thoughts, prayers and expressions of concern will be of great comfort to Bill. If you would like to send him a note, please contact the PAI office for his mailing address.

Details about Denise’s memorial service are as follows.

Wednesday, January 16th, 11:00 AM
Saint Denis Cathedral
2401 Saint Denis Lane
Havertown, PA 19083

Zane Forshee and Sara Casey will participate in the service.

We plan to take two vans to Philadelphia, leaving the upper school campus promptly at 8:00 AM. If you would like to have a seat reserved, please contact us by Friday, January 11th at onstage@wyomingseminary.org or 570-270-2177.

Because Denise loved animals so much, memorial donations can be made in her honor to the humane society’s Kindred Spirits Memorial Fund. For your convenience, here is a link to their website: https://secure.hsus.org/01/kindredspirits?qp_source=gabahw.

Bakehouse, Glorious Bakehouse!

Oliver cast members catch up with Mark Kratz at the Bakehouse in Kingston.