The 109th Texas Federation of Music Clubs held April 4-6 at the Crown Plaza Airport Hotel in San Antonio with an “April Showers Us With Music” theme.
“Lynn McNew, state president from Fort Worth, and her convention committee intertwined old and new business and committee reports with outstanding music,” said spokesperson Annette Griesbach.
Starting off the music menu, and in recognition of National Jazz Month, was Rockdale’s own trumpeter Sparky Thomason performing with a jazz quartet he formed that included Chris Villanueva, director of jazz studies at UTSA on piano; Juan Acosta, a member of the Army band in San Antonio on bass; and to round out the group Audra Menconi, a free-lance musician on drums.
Other music included the River City Ringers, a 12-piece traveling Hand Bell group; a very entertaining female barbershop quartet, the Blue Baries (for Baritones); San Antonio club member Sheri Stricker playing her lever harp; and the featured guest performer, cellist Leland Ko, the 2024 National Federation of Music Clubs YA (Young Artist) from Boston delivered an incredible performance Friday night.
The national guest speaker, wearing many hats, as she belongs to over 20 organizations, was Ruth Morrow from South Carolina.
Matinee Musical Club participants included Lisa Loewe, District IV treasurer and newly appointed state auditor; Mona Butala, past MMC VP; a firsttime attendee Melissa Shipley, District IV president; and Annette Griesbach, TFMC VP in charge of membership and lifers.
President Lynn McNew closed the convention announcing that next year’s 110th convention is to be held in Lubbock and the 2025 National Convention will be held in Austin.
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