MINUTES OF THE NEMFA EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING

June 2, 2018

Holiday Inn Express, Brattleboro, VT.

The meeting was called to order by President, Marj Rooen at 10:01A.M.

In attendance: Marj Rooen, John Deeb, Bill Sittard, Gail Reynolds, Scott Benson, Eddie Wilkin, Tom Reynolds, Rob Gattie, Steffen Parker, Frank Whitcomb.

Member apologies: Sal Cicciarella, John Kuhner, Danielle Conerty.

Recording Secretary, Gail Reynolds reported that the minutes from the March EB meeting had been approved by e-vote.

Board Member Reports

Executive Secretary/Treasurer's Report. Bill Sittard distributed the Profit & Loss Report. He said that the concert Festival made out OK. He reported that the S&E Festivals came out a bit in the red. He reported that NEMFA was in the black this year. A motion by Steffen Parker to approve the report passed.

Past President Report.  President Marj Rooen read a letter from Sal Cicciarella that congratulated and welcomed both the new president and president- elect, John Deeb.

President Elect Report, John Deeb. No report at this time.

Bulletin Editor, Tom Reynolds. No report at this time.

Solo & Ensemble Report, Rob Gattie and Steffen Parker.  Mr. Gattie reported that the S&E Festivals ran smoothly with only a few bumps. Mr. Parker noted that Rob continues to train and evaluate adjudicators for future reference.  Steff said that technology continues to function very well and added that he is working on a proposal to present in September to address tightening up of the selection procedure for S&E performances at the Concert Festival. Steffen reported that he is already working with the new hosts of the Southern S&E Festival in Griswold, CT. He said that the online contract is working well. He wants to provide the CF nurse with hardcopies of students with medical concerns. Mr. Parker reported that this year's band and orchestra music will be online and that originals will be available on site but not necessarily distributed. Tom Reynolds expressed concern that this way of distributing music may not have the approval of all publishing houses.  Steffen said that he will look into that.

Member Services, John Kuhner. No Report given.

Librarian, Frank Whitcomb reported that there are only two missing parts from last year's band music and that all orchestra parts had been returned.  He added that 17 complete chorus folders remain outstanding and that the monetary worth is almost $200.  He that he will contact Mr. Coachman regarding the missing folders.  Mr. Whitcomb reminded the managers to have next year's music orders to him asap so that can have the music by the September meeting. He concluded by telling the Board that he is in the very long process of refiling the NEMFA Library music.

Chorus Manager, Eddie Wilkin, distributed program proposals. Following discussion, the Board suggested that Mr. Wilkin send the conductor the rehearsal schedule to get a better idea of available rehearsal time and recommended that the conductor consider shortening the length of the program. The Board suggested that an attempt be made to utilize a few pieces from the NEMFA Library.  Mr. Wilkin will submit a revised proposal to Marj before September which she will in turn distribute to the Board for an E-vote.

 

Orchestra Manager, Scott Benson reported that he just heard back from his conductor with program proposals.  After reading and discussing the proposals a motion by Rob Gattie to approve program #1 passed.

Band Manager, Danielle Conerty. President Rooen read Danielle's report. The band program proposal was presented. Following discussion and a motion by John Deeb, program #1 was approved.

President's Report

*      The Showcase of S&E performances at the Concert Festival received positive feedback on the survey.

*       Fundraising was not discussed.

*       Steffen Parker continues to work on allowing access by others to the data base.

*       Centennial Celebration- Tom Reynolds is compiling a list of past participants in preparation for the celebration. After some discussion about the event, Tom Reynolds made a motion that he chair a Centennial Celebration Committee. The motion passed.

Post Concert Festival Reports

Co-host John Deeb reported that the festival went well. He said that it was very helpful that school was not in session on Friday.  He reported that housing was the biggest challenge.  He added that both he and David Miller were eager to host at least one more time before John retires.

Scott Benson asked for the Board to explain the procedure for finding replacement players for the concert festival. Rob Gattie identified the several scenarios that would require a need for finding replacements and volunteered Steffen and himself to come up with a proposal to address this.

Danielle had suggested that managers communicate with the host regarding site access before the first rehearsal on Thursday. She also suggested that meals be increased from 30 to 45 minutes.

Unfinished Business

a.  The Board discussed snow date options for the Concert Festival. After discussion, no action was taken.
 

b.  & c. Frank Whitcomb reported that the Constitution and Mission Statement are complete and approved.  He reported that there is an addendum to his draft of the partially completed Bylaws and added that the final draft is still a work in progress. He is looking at September as a new deadline for a Bylaws draft.
 

d.   A motion by Rob Gattie to appropriate funds for Marj to purchase a NEMFA table apron passed. Gail Reynolds told Marj that Bill Sittard now holds the VistaPrint NEMFA business card account.

e.   After discussion, no action taken or decisions made regarding instrumental ensembles.

New Business

a.     The Board was updated on progress on the new S&E Southern site.

b.     The Secondary Signatory is completed.

c.     Term Limits for appointed positions.  Following discussion, a motion by Frank Whitcomb that no action be taken to change the current procedure passed

d.     Bill Sittard volunteered to contact the 73 sponsors that no longer participate in NEMFA. The Board recommended that he mail the letters to the current directors since some of the former members have retired.  Bill said that he could do that. He asked for assistance in the composition of a cover letter. Scott Benson volunteered to draft a letter and forward it to Bill for final editing.

e.     President Rooen asked for the Board's input regarding Security at the Concert Festival. Following discussion, it was decided that Security is a host issue.

Any Other Business

A Concert Festival host is needed for 2020.

Future Dates

2018

Saturday, September 8 at 10am at The Woodstock Academy, CT. Saturday, December 1, Northern S&E Festival

Friday, December 7, EB Meeting at S. Griswold, CT. Saturday, December 8, Southern S&E Festival, Griswold, CT. Saturday, December 15 SNOW DATE for S&E Festivals

Concert Festival- March 21-23 at The Woodstock Academy, Woodstock, CT. The meeting adjourned at 12:45 P.M.

                                                                     Respectfully submitted,

 

                                                           Gail Reynolds

                                                                        Recording Secretary

     March 19-21, 2020

   Chorus Program  

   for Concert Festival 2019

Cry out and shout - Knut Nystedt
Weep o mine eyes - John Bennet
Laetatus Sum - J. Michael Haydn
Got a mind to do right - David Morrow
The Garden of Love - Rodney Money
Flight Song - Kim André Arnesen
My Song - Ēriks Esenvalds 

 

Dear Colleagues and Friends, 

I hope this letter finds each and every one of you well, at a time of new! In the midst of coming back from summer fun, relaxation, and rejuvenation we find our selves back in the classroom with new students, new music, a new view on a journey!

As I enter my new role as Chorus Manager for the New England Music Festival, I reach out to you with a new welcome and thank you! Thank you for all that you do for all of our excellent students and communities. What you do in the classroom is life-changing for so many of our students all across New England! Thank you.

I will be reaching out to many of you in regards to helping me with the new job. Please contact me if you would like to help me this year as part of the Chorus Committee, On-site Hearing, etc. (email: [email protected]).

Our conductor for the 2019 concert festival is Dr. TJ Harper, Chair and Director of Choral Activities from Providence College in Providence, Rhode Island. As an active conductor in both the United States and International countries, he has chosen a program that highlights both the Soprano and Altos, and Tenors and Bass sections by selecting an SSAA and TTBB piece for the concert. The music selected for the program provides challenging and educating musical selections. Please refer to the list below. Dr. Harper is looking forward to working with your students and our wonderful organization.

I hope all is well!

Keep Smiling, 

 

Eddie Wilkin  

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Conductor, pianist, and singer Eddie Wilkin encourages all to find their artistic voice through music. He comes to this philosophy from past experiences at home, in school, and through his recent musical activities.

Eddie studied Music Education at Castleton University (formerly Castleton State College), located in Castleton, Vermont. As a result of the opportunities he had with the ensembles under the supervision of Sherrill Blodget and Glenn Giles, he realized that he wanted to pursue conducting. After graduating with a Bachelors degree of Music in Music Education, he went on to pursue a Masters degree in Choral and Orchestral Conducting from the University of Rhode Island where he studied with Mark Conley, Ann Danis, Gene Pollart and Brian Cardany. Currently, he is finishing up at Castleton University for a second Masters in Music Education with a focus on The Community Choral experience and warm-ups designed for the aging singer. He has also accepted admission to the Doctorate of Education program at the University of New England to study Transformational Leadership.

During his undergraduate and graduate career Eddie has been an active conductor of large choral and instrumental groups such as Concert Choirs, Chamber Ensembles, Symphony Orchestras, Wind Ensembles, as well as Chamber Strings.

Currently, he is the Director of Choral Activities at Fair Haven Union High School, in Fair Haven Vermont. He is also the Artistic Director and founder of The Slate Valley Singers (a community chorus), the Conductor for the Rutland City Band, and at the Union Church of Proctor in Proctor, Vermont. Previous conducting appointments have been with Lakes Region Youth Orchestra, Grace Church in Rutland Vermont, and as a guest with The Philharmonic Orchestra "Mihail Jora" of Bacau, Romania. Professional appointments include President of the Green Mountain Music District, VT-ACDA Student Activities Chair, and the NEMFA- Choral Manager.

Eddie thoroughly enjoys working with all ages of vocal and instrumental ensembles with varied sizes and experience levels.

For more information: www.edwardwilkin.com

T. J. HARPER is the Chair of the Providence College Department of Music, Associate Professor of Music, and Director of Choral Activities at Providence College in Providence, Rhode Island. He is the 2015 Professor of the Year and recipient of the Joseph R. Accinno Teaching Award.

Choirs under the direction of Dr. Harper have performed at the 2017 National Association for Music Education (NAfME) Eastern Division Conference in Atlantic City, NJ, the 2014 NAfME National Conference in Nashville, TN, the 2013 American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) New England Collegiate Choral Conference in Keene, NH, the 2012 ACDA Eastern Division Conference in Providence, RI, the 2011 NAfME Eastern Division Conference in Baltimore, MD, and the 2010 Rhode Island Music Educators Association (RIMEA) Spring In-Service Conference. International performances by invitation include Austria (2015), Czech Republic (2015), Spain (2013), and Italy (2011).

Dr. Harper maintains an active schedule in the US and abroad as a guest conductor, clinician, and jury member. Recent engagements include residencies, guest conducting, lectures and master classes in China, Argentina, Sweden, Italy, Spain, Costa Rica, Mexico, Germany, South Korea, Thailand, Taiwan, Indonesia, Chile, Venezuela and honor choirs throughout the US.

Dr. Harper is a Board Member for the International Federation of Choral Music (IFCM), the Chair of the ACDA Standing Committee on International Activities and the Director of the ACDA International Conductors Exchange Program (ICEP). He is the Past-President of the Rhode Island Music Educators Association (RIMEA). He is the immediate Past-President of the Rhode Island chapter of the American Choral Directors Association.

Dr. Harper's research interests have led to funded research projects exploring voice-science in the choral rehearsal; the music of Johannes Brahms at the Brahms Institute in Lübeck, Germany and the Musikverein in Vienna, Austria; the music of Maurice Duruflé at St.

Peter's Abbey in Solesmes, France; and the folk music traditions of the Korean Peninsula at Dankook University in Seoul, South Korea. His publications have appeared in the ACDA Choral Journal, the IFCM International Choral Bulletin, the NAfME Online Choral Forum, and the RIMEA Music Education Journal-RIMER. Dr. Harper is also a contributing author to Student Engagement in Higher Education: Theoretical Perspectives and Practical Approaches for Diverse Populations. (Routledge)

Dr. Harper received the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Southern California where he graduated with honors. He received the Master of Arts in Choral Conducting from California State University, Northridge and the Bachelor of Arts degree and Choral Conducting from California State University, Fresno. He taught in the California public school system for six years and was honored for excellence in teaching in Who's Who Among America's Teachers. As a member of the Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society, NAfME, ACDA, Chorus America, NCCO and IFCM, Dr. Harper is an advocate for the promotion of undergraduate and graduate music education and choral music in the public schools. 

The 2018 NEMFA Orchestra performed a stunning concert in March at the 91st Concert Festival in Burlington, CT. Under the direction of maestro Miriam Burns, they presented an energetic program featuring bravura playing across all sections. She encouraged them frequently to "take out their other instrument" (a pencil, of course!), advised them on auditions in the wider world ("It's assumed that the notes and rhythms will be correct...know how your part fits in."), and guided them to be aware of what key they're actually in at any given moment (whatever the key signature might indicate). Ms. Burns emphasized the importance of subdividing to the point that, on the last morning of the festival, a student told us that she found herself subconsciously subdividing the beeps on her microwave! The amount of growth shown by the students in the short time from the first rehearsal to the final concert is always amazing, and this year was no exception. Thanks to the host directors and their students, as well as all the directors who helped out at the festival by running sectionals, filling in on parts, and all the other tasks large and small that are involved in creating such an outstanding experience for our musicians.

The upcoming 2019 festival will be under the baton of Dr. Kathleen Horvath, whose biography is below. On the faculty of Case Western Reserve University, she has a wealth of experience as a conductor and as a soloist on the bass. She also conducts research into preventing performance-related injuries through correct positioning of the body, and develops teaching methods that facilitate accurate development of correct playing posture. She brings a unique set of skills and knowledge to the NEMFA stage, and I eagerly anticipate the work she does with our students.

It is never too early to start thinking ahead for a performance, and to this end, I am pleased to announce the program for next year's festival. The concert opens with Wallingford Riegger's "Dance Rhythms for Orchestra," a dynamic and energetic selection. Riegger is a lesser-known American composer, but was highly regarded during his life. As a cellist, he was a member of the first graduating class from Juilliard; after his death (which resulted from falling over the leashes of two fighting dogs), he was eulogized by none other than Leonard Bernstein, who said, "All who knew Wally loved him." Following this, the orchestra will present the second and third movements of "Symphony No. 2" by Howard Hanson. Subtitled "Romantic," this 20th-century piece echoes the lyricism and emotion of the music of the late 1800s while injecting more modern colors. Music from the work is used at the close of every concert at the Interlochen Center for the Arts, and was used (albeit without permission!) over the end credits of the move "Alien." John Williams looked to the work for inspiration in composing his score to "E.T.," and it is one of the very few American pieces that Toscanini programmed during his tenure with the New York Philharmonic. The final piece on the program is a staple of the repertoire - Aaron Copland's "Hoe-Down." Extracted from his ballet "Rodeo," this is a piece that everybody knows, whether they know the title or not. It has been interpreted and adapted by groups from Emerson, Lake, and Palmer to Bela Fleck and the Flecktones (and, of course, we all know EXACTLY what's for dinner).

What a program! There are exquisite moments for every section of the orchestra, and numerous solo opportunities throughout the ensemble. We especially need a strong cor anglais player, so if you have an oboist with experience on this instrument, consider preparing a selection from the English Horn repertoire list for the S&E Festival. We also need strong percussionists, so you may want to encourage your students to perform solos from more than one of the percussion S&E lists. There are also parts for contrabassoon, if you or your bassoon students are feeling adventurous! I hope you will share this repertoire with your students, and get them excited about taking part. Summer is a great time to dig in on music for the Solo and Ensemble Festival...though we have all certainly earned at least a LITTLE break from the frenetic pace of the rest of the year! Best wishes to all, and if you have any comments, questions, complaints, or suggestions regarding the NEMFA orchestra, please do not hesitate to be in touch.

Scott Benson

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Dr. Kathleen A. Horvath, Associate Professor of String Education and Pedagogy joined the Case faculty in 2001. Her duties on campus include teaching undergraduate and graduate level courses in music education, string pedagogy, supervising student teachers, directing the Case/University Circle Symphony Orchestra, and the Case Camerata Chamber Orchestra. She holds a Bachelor of Music from the Eastman School of Music (Double Bass), a Master of Arts in Performance and String Pedagogy and Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education from The Ohio State University.

Her research is primarily focused on the prevention of performance related injuries through correct positioning of the body and the accompanying teaching methodology that facilitates accurate development. This methodology fosters efficient performance technique through muscle memory and movement activities with special emphasis placed on the adolescent child. Her recent publications include articles and reviews in Music Educators Journal, Triad, Scroll, Bass World, American String Teacher, Council of Research in Music Education, and the Southeastern Journal of Music Education.

In the summer of 1998 she coordinated and directed the Paul Rolland String Pedagogy Symposium at the University of Illinois and compiled, edited, and authored "The Legacy of His Work: the Paul Rolland String Pedagogy Symposium". In addition, she has authored several sections in books that specifically deal with string education issues and include Teaching Music Through Performance in Orchestra, the String Syllabus, Applications of Research to String Education, and Strategies for Teaching Strings and Orchestra, a MENC publication. Her most recent book project with Robert McCashin, Brenda Mitchell and Joanne Erwin yielded a two volume string class method book entitled New Directions for Strings which is published by FJH Music.

In demand as a clinician, Horvath has presented for ASTA with NSOA Conferences such as the Eastman Symposium and Teaching Teachers: Two Side-by-Side Conferences and has presented at the Midwest Clinic; All Eastern MENC Conference; New York State School Music Association Winter Conference; Ohio Music Educators Conference; Georgia Music Educators Association; Alaska Music Educators Conference; and National Biennial Conferences in Kansas City and Nashville. Most recently presented a seminar on the pedagogy of Paul Rolland at the Universidad de Alcala, Aula de Musica in Madrid, Spain. She has been Artist Faculty at the National String Workshop and the American School of Double Bass since 1999. She has also served as visiting faculty at the South Carolina String Teacher Conference and the New York State ASTA with NSOA Summer String Conference. As a conductor Dr. Horvath has conducted festivals in North Carolina, Arkansas, Alaska, Pennsylvania, Illinois, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Ohio, Georgia, and Montana. As an orchestral performer and recitalist on the Double Bass she has appeared with the symphonies of Wheeling (WV), Plymouth and New Bedford (MA), the ProMusica Chamber Orchestra of Columbus, Ohio and was a featured soloist at the 1996 Festival of Women Composers International. While in Illinois she was principal double bassist of the Champaign-Urbana Symphony, Opera Illinois, and the baroque Artists of Champaign-Urbana. Currently she performs with chamber groups around greater Cleveland. Dr. Horvath has over seven years of public school string teaching experience in the states of New York, Massachusetts, Ohio, and Georgia. She has served on the faculties of Southeastern Massachusetts University, Ashland University, University of Illinois, and The Eastman School of Music. Active in her profession, she maintains membership in the Ohio Music Education Association, Ohio String Teachers Association, American String Teachers with the National School Orchestra Association, and Music Educators National Conference.

 Dear Colleagues,

Greetings and happy fall. I hope you are all doing well and adjusting into the new school year. Preparations are well underway for the 2019 New England Music Concert Festival Band. This year, the band will be conducted by Dr. Cynthia Johnston Turner of the Hodgson School of Music at the University of Georgia. Dr. Turner  has selected a fantastic program for the Concert Festival: Symbiopholie! by Jonathan Dagenais, Nurture by Edward Fairlie, American Guernica by Adolphus Hailstork, and Alleluia, Laudemus Te by Alfred Reed. Nurture happens to feature mallet percussion, and as always, this program as a whole presents diverse and frequent opportunities for percussionists. So, please, encourage your students to perform in the Solo & Ensemble Festival on mallets, timpani, and snare drum! I am looking forward to hearing this music come to life with our amazing New England student musicians this coming March 2019 in Woodstock, Connecticut.

Reflecting back to last year's festival: the 2018 New England Music Festival Band put on a wonderful performance this past year in the Concert Festival under the baton of Dr. Mark Fonder, Professor Emeritus from Ithaca College. The students arrived prepared and ready to refine the challenging and  exciting program, which consisted of Percy Fletcher's Vanity Fair, Norman Dello Joio's Fantasies on a Theme by Haydn, Thierry Muller's Nil Sounkoro, and John Philip Sousa's By the Light of the Polar Star. All of the ensembles performed beautifully in the concert and it was another successful NEMFA experience for our wonderful students from all over New England.

We were delighted to be at the beautiful Lewis S. Mills High School in Burlington, Connecticut for this past festival. I would like to thank our hosts, John Deeb and David Miller, who were wonderfully hospitable and accommodating. I would also like to thank the students from Lewis S. Mills High School who helped to make the festival run smoothly. It was a pleasure to serve in my first year as the NEMFA Band Manager and I look forward to serving as your NEMFA Band Manager once again.

 

NEMFA Band Manager

Band Director, Hartford High School  

White River Jct., Vermont.   

 

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Cynthia Johnston Turner is in demand as a conductor, conducting and ensemble clinician, and speaker in the United States, Australia, Latin America, Europe, and Canada.

Before her appointment at the Hodgson School at the University of Georgia, Cynthia was Director of Wind Ensembles at Cornell University. Earlier in her career Cynthia was a high school music educator, taught middle school beginning instrumental music in Toronto and choral music in Switzerland. She currently serves as a conductor with the Syracuse Society of New Music, the Austrian Festival Orchestra, and the Paris Lodron Ensemble in Salzburg.

A Canadian, Cynthia completed her Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Education degrees at Queens University and her Master of Music in music education and conducting at the University of Victoria. Touring with her ensembles inspired her master's thesis on the musical and personal transformations that occur on tours, and her D.M.A. thesis at the Eastman School of Music centered on the music of William Kraft, one of this generation's leading composers. At Eastman Cynthia was the recipient of the prestigious teaching award in conducting. She received the National Leadership in Education Award (Canada), the Excellence in Education Award (Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation), and the Marion Drysdale Leadership Award (also from OSSTF). She is also the recipient of the Donald A. Reick Memorial Award for research with wearable technologies and music pedagogy, and the American Prize for innovative programming with wind bands.

Cynthia has commissioned numerous new works for wind band and orchestra, and she continues to actively promote commissions by today's leading and emerging composers around the world. Under her direction, the Cornell Wind Ensemble was invited to perform at the College Band Directors National Association's Eastern Division Conference in 2007 and 2012. In 2008, the Merrill Presidential Scholars at Cornell recognized Cynthia as an outstanding educator, and in 2009, she was awarded the Kaplan Family Distinguished Faculty Fellowship. Her performances have been praised by such composers as Steven Stucky, William Kraft, Steven Bryant, Marc Mellits, Eddie Mora, Dana Wilson, Roberto Sierra, Jesse Jones, and Karel Husa.

From January 2006, Cynthia led the Cornell Wind Ensemble on biennial performing and service tours to Costa Rica that included performances across the country, conducting master classes with Costa Rican teachers, instrument master classes for Costa Rican musicians, and the donation of over 250 instruments to music schools across the country.

Among other recent engagements, Cynthia has guest conducted the National Youth Wind Ensemble of Great Britain, the Syracuse Symphony ("Symphoria"), the National Youth Band of Canada, Concordia Santa Fe, the Ithaca College Wind Ensemble, the Eastman Wind Ensemble, the Latin American Honor Band, the National Band of Costa Rica, the National Orchestra of Heredia, and numerous state honor bands. Cynthia has been invited to present her research with teaching and technology, innovative rehearsal techniques, and service-learning and music performance at numerous conferences nationally and internationally. She is published in such journals as Music Educators Journal, Interdisciplinary Humanities, International Journal of the Humanities, Journal of the World Association of Bands and Ensembles, Fanfare Magazine, and Canadian Winds, and has recorded CDs with the Innova and Albany labels.

Cynthia serves as a board member with WASBE, and is an active member of CDBNA, Conductor's Guild, College Music Society, Humanities Education and Research Association, the National Association for Music Education, and National Band Association.

As Director of Bands and Professor of Music at the Hodgson School, Cynthia conducts the Wind Ensemble, teaches conducting, leads the MM and DMA programs in conducting, and oversees the entire Hodgson band program.

by Thomas E. Reynolds

 

LOWELL MASON HOUSE REPORT

 

September, 2018

• Partnering with local arts organizations by providing office and meeting space to support the arts and the importance of arts education in our schools
• Building an up-to-date rehearsal and performance space which will include music technology and recording facilities
• Restoring and preserving the house to include a Lowell Mason museum

 

Thank you so much for your interest and support in this project. As you can see, we are making great progress towards the full restoration of the house. Donations are always welcomed and we can now see the house moving closer to completion. Thank you for considering making a tax-deductible donation today. Please make checks payable to: The Lowell Mason House, P. O. Box 913 Medfield, MA 02052. Your contribution is tax-deductible as a charitable contribution to the extent provided by U.S. tax law. ·

 

- Thomas E. Reynolds