MHU Senior Daniel Pearsall, a voice student of AAPF member Matt Blanks at his senior recital Sunday evening, accompanied by AAPF member Marilynn Seits. (fb)

Spring Benefit Concert was a Major Success! Letter from AAPF President Karen Boyd: Hi, Friends, I hope word has gotten around about how wonderful the concert was yesterday - I think it was the best concert we've ever had! Even though you can't purchase virtual tickets through the On The Stage ticket selling service at this time, if you make a payment through our website (go to Donate..) of $25.00 and notate that the payment is for a virtual Spring Benefit, we will send a family link when the video is ready. Speaking of video - if you haven't seen our videos, recorded and edited by Nathan Shirley, you are in for a treat. Our concert videos are of the best professional quality - Nathan's editing is masterful because he is such a great musician himself - he knows what we should hear and watch! I wanted to take a bit of time here for some special shout-outs. Our performers were world class - Beth Child, Tom Stuart, Juca Camera, Wayne Smith, Andrew Adams, Michael Stevens, and Kimberly Cann. Bill Bares did a spectacular job with programming - I heard many compliments about how well put-together the selections were; and Bill was such a trooper - hosting with a smile all the time, regardless of the fever and sickness he was experiencing. Dan Angerstein and Jerry Schultz toted the heavy box of programs three blocks, along with making trips to the bank before and after. Sam Austin was the person who really ran the ticket selling using the OTS technology even though they had to leave before being able to hear any of the concert after finishing logging in all information. Les Downs, and Forrest and Eva Weaver (Eva is a new student member of AAPF!) ushered the program, and Les had to corral audience members and performers after intermission - like herding cats! Rich Winslow and Sue Russell masterminded and set up the entire, and very elegant, reception, aided by Eva W. and Mary Holmes. Marilynn Seits had jobs which prohibited her presence at the concert, but behind the scenes she did so much to make sure the ticket selling and program printing went smoothly. Sean McAusland once again worked his magic with our printed program, ensuring a very professional product that we treasure. Others behind the scenes - Dominic Rajagopal and Philip Morrison who kept up with the website during this concert season. We are indebted to the major sponsors of this particular concert. The University of NC Asheville's Music Department has been so generous with allowing us to use the facilities at Lipinsky -this concert is our last time there until the New music building is built - another 3 or 4 years! Dan Angerstein and Organ Works, Givens Highland Farms and the Givens Communities' Philanthropy, and finally my husband Adlai Boyd and I were thrilled to be able to sponsor this concert. Finally, I want to thank our audience for spending their afternoon with us. Their enjoyment of beautiful music supported the funding for our Student Assistance Award programs. If you purchase a virtual ticket, you, too, will be part of that growing audience which spreads the love of music with our Asheville community. Can we top this program in the Fall? Maybe not, but we'll try our darndest to meet the very high standard set by the performers this Spring! Karen Boyd, concert sponsor and very proud President of AAPF 2024-25 PS - see the program bulletin on the website - click on the button on the homepage under the concert poster that says Program. Or use the QR code here to access the program. (fb)