On November 5th the Mary Martha Circle visited the Summer Linguistics Institute in Catalina. It is also known as Wycliffe Bible Translators. A very informative talk was given about the history of the group and their work around the  orld, but especially in Southern Mexico. It was pointed out that one would need to live among the people in their villages for about 4 yrs., and gain the confidence of one or two people to learn their language. Then an alphabet would need to be created, and from that a written language. Finally, after perhaps 5 yrs. or more you would then be able to start translating the Bible into their native language. One member of Mary Martha Circle, Joy Oram, was just such a person. It takes enormous dedication to translate the Bible into just one village language, let alone the numerous dialects that are present in Mexico. 

After this talk and tour, the group had refreshments while viewing a video about Youth Haven in Casa Grande, AZ, which Mary Martha helps as our Mission Outreach project.

Those present were:
Back row L-R Delores Brindle, Diane Bynum, Joanne Smith, Betty Layton, Marilyn Waldo, Joy Oram, Rita Bahos, aren Tryon. Front Row L-R Jan Wilson, Betty Little, Jody Obear, Ilene Nevins, Sandy Schwartz, LaVerne Tucker

By Jan Wilson

The Vista Fine Arts Series will include Catalina Community Chorus, and the Tucson Girls Choir, Sunday, November 8, 2:30pm. 

STARS OF THE FUTURE, a continuation of the Young Artist performances which so successfully debuted last season, February 21,  2010, 2:30 pm.

Flutist, performer, master teacher, and composer, Linda Chatterton of Minneapolis is returning to our stage in concert with Dr. Rex Wood, chair of the Department of Piano  at the University of Arizona Sunday, April 18, 2010, 2:30 pm. 

Other concerts will be offered throughout the season.

As the concert opened, Sunday, March 8, chairman, Marge Fridrich, revealed a surprise preview of the 2009-2010 Fine Art series.  Twelve-year-old pianist Shelby Yuan began the afternoon displaying her amazing talent.  She was accompanied on the organ by her teacher, Angeline Ng.  Shelby will perform with the Tucson Symphony in May.  The audience was further awed by the revelation that she had first performed with the symphony at age 9.

Shelby was followed by Adam Ackerman performing the Arturian Trumpet concerto.  He was accompanied by Linda Ackerman.  Linda, Adam’s mother provided additional pleasure with her masterful accompaniment to Adam.  After Adams’s performance, we revealed, to the audience, that she is the pianist whose many piano styles we so enjoy at the Gaslight Theater. 

The concert continued with an inspiring performance by pianist Jinny Huh, also a student of Angeline Ng,  followed by U of  A  cello performance major, and also mathematics major, Jonathan Cain.

The concert concluded with eighteen-year-old Jason Xu.  Jason. A student at U of A, studied for six years with Ng.  He is continuing piano studies at U of A as he pursues a double major in Mathematics and Economics.    Jason’s performance electrified the audience.  Judging by the response to this first foray into featuring young artists in our concert series, Stars of the Future will continue in our 2009-2010 series and you, too, will be astounded by the talent of , then, thirteen year old Shelby Yuan.  

The Augsburg Centennial Singers returned to the Vista stage Saturday evening, February 7.  The concert was preceded by a soup supper prepared and served by many Vista volunteers under the leadership of Delores Brindle.  Howard Young led a group of several members of the men’s group in setting up the sanctuary to the specifications of the Singers.  Numerous other volunteers filled in the necessary pieces of the preparation puzzle to create a flawless setting for our singing guests.

The concert was very enthusiastically received by a full house of appreciative concertgoers.  The musical presentations covered a broad range of unique arrangements for full choir, quartets, solos and beautiful violin and piano accompaniment. A highlight in addition to the inspiring vocal work was a violin solo, ‘Meditation’ from “Thais” by Jules Massenet, a haunting theme many would recognize. 

Many members of the singing group expressed their appreciation for the dinner, and the warm hospitality of Vista and commented that they love coming to Vista.

The Fine Arts Committee wishes to express its appreciation to all who made the evening a success.

SUN. Nov. 16, 2008 – 2:30 pm
          HARPFUSION
          Dr. Carrol McGlaughlin, Director

SAT.  Feb. 7, 2009 – 7:00 pm
           AUGSBURG
           CENTENNIAL SINGERS

SUN. March 8, 2009 – 2:30 pm
          STARS OF THE FUTURE

SUN. April 26, 2009 – 2:30 pm
          U of A STEEL BAND
          Josh Armstrong, Director

Bring a Friend        Free Will Offering