September, 2019
Dear Southernmost Friends,
Since our last newsletter in July, we have firmed up plans for our upcoming concert season. Tickets will go on sale October 1st, and we can now share a preview of our performances. We also have some exciting news about a new artist and new sponsor benefits but also one piece of sad news. So, starting with the sad...
Cellist Denise Nathanson not returning to Key West
Denise has decided instead to follow a long-time dream of owning and operating her own business. She recently finalized the purchase of a needle stitch shop in St. Michael's, MD and is now open for business. As she recently wrote, "My sincere wish is to see SCMS grow and thrive. I will forever be proud of what I was part of! Hopefully at some point, I will be able to return as a guest." Our hope too Denise! Fortunately, fellow SCMS cellist Mark Simcox will be expanding his performance schedule this coming season, so stay tuned. 
Another New SCMS member
In July, we reported that violist Pavla Houdkova would be joining Southernmost. We are now pleased to announce another addition, noted flautist, Donna DeForrest.  Donna is originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She earned her BS in Music Ed. from Clarion University of Pennsylvania in 1991 and her Masters of Music Ed. degree from Youngstown State University, Dana School of Music in 1993. From 1993 - 1996, Donna was the Director of Bands at Manchester High School, Manchester, OH. In 1996, she moved to the Florida Keys and was the Director of Bands at Horace O’Bryant Middle School for 22 years. 

Donna performs on flute, clarinet, and saxophone. She has appeared with the Keys Pops Orchestra, Keys Chorale, The Paradise Big Band, The Key West Saxophone Quartet, as well as performing for many musicals and church events. Currently, she teaches 4th grade at Sugarloaf School and resides on Stock Island with her two children, Jaina and Jad. 
Our 2019/20 Concert Schedule
October 1, 2019
Tickets go on sale for all 6 concerts

November 21, 2019 
A potpourri with all 10 SCMS artists offering a taste of the new season and featuring composers Bononcini, Handel, Leoncavallo, Schubert, Saint-Saëns and Sondheim

December 19, 2019
Get in the spirit as our artists present an evening of seasonal music. The event will be held in St. Paul's sanctuary which highlights the church's acoustics and magnificent pipe organ.

January 16, 2020
Vocalists Barbara Staffen, John Baird, and Dean Warden perform Monteverdi, Schubert, Copeland and Weill

February 20, 2020
Four-hand piano pieces by Dvořak, Chaminade, and Jongen with Ann McFarland and Tim Peterson

March 19, 2020
An evening of Strings with Irie Monte, Pavla Houdkova and Mark Simcox performing Beethoven and Mozart accompanied by Tim Peterson

April 16, 2020
Enjoy Dvořak performed by Irie Monte, Pavla Houdkova, and Mark Simcox accompanied by Ann McFarland plus Bach sung by John Baird accompanied by Tim Peterson and Donna DeForrest
New Benefits for Sponsors
We are so grateful to our sponsors. This past year, they contributed $6,250 which helped support our artists, made possible the purchase of new platforms, and provided support for general operating costs. In addition, we received two generous in-kind contributions: a concert quality Steinway grand piano and publication of 500 new SCMS informational brochures. 

To show our appreciation and also to appeal to new donors, our expanded sponsor benefits include:

  • Complimentary tickets based on gift level, see how it works here, 
  • Donor categories simplified to make sponsorship more accessible, 
  • Preferred seating,
  • Acknowledgement in each performance program,
  • A tax-deduction

If you gave last year, our sincere thanks, and if you're willing to make a gift this year, please send your check to the mailing address below, noting " SCMS " in the memo line. Or, email us, and we'll be in touch.
See you in November.  
 Call us at (305) 296-5142‬