Monarch Ski and Walden Music

The Monarch Ski season pass is an incredible value, offering many benefits and ski days not only at the Monarch Mountain Ski & Snowboard area, but also at many other Colorado, Utah and New Mexico resorts. For more information on the ski pass, check the Monarch's Web site at www.skimonarch.com/season_ski_passes.asp

The e-mail auction will begin Friday, October 17. To be on the auction list, email butch.b53@mccoymail.net prior to Octover 17. Bidders will simply need to reply to the Walden e-mail sent that morning with their opening bid. Minimum bid is $200. The current retail value is $319 until November 1 and $419 thereafter. Early each subsequent day, the previous day's high bid will be sent out, and bidders will have an opportunity to increase their bid. The final day of bidding will be Monday, October 20 with the bidding closing at midnight. The winner will be announced via email on Tuesday, October 21, still 10 days before the season pass rates go up. As one board member wrote: '' Happy bidding and skiing, and many thanks to Monarch for donating a season pass to the Walden Chamber Music Society. ''

On October 5 at the SteamPlant Theatre in Salida the Walden Chamber Music Society opened its 2008-23009 season with a concert which will be remembered for a long time. Many still talk of an afterglow. Indeed, what a concert with violonist Maria Schleuning from the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and renowed pianist Jo Boatright ! Who will forget the playful « Spring Sonata in F for Violin and Piano, Op. 24 » by Beethoven, with its Mozartean nostalgic second movement which brought quiet tears ? Both musicians and the audience went wild with the « Carmen Concert Fantasy, Op. 25 » by Sarasate, a violin virtuoso piece if there ever was one. All the passion, seduction, taunting of the famous Bizet's opera resonated on the SteamPlant stage. A smoking violin and a sultry piano, what a combination ! A standing ovation and four curtain calls expressed the appreciation of the audience for the breathtaking musical duo. The second part of the concert was reserved to Brahms' romantic daydreaming of unfulfilled love with his « Sonata for Violin and Piano in d minor, Op. 108 ». At times soft, at other times strong melodies were exchanged between the two instruments. Again the tender sounds of the second movement contrasted with the fast tempo of the fiery conclusion. Many among the appreciative audience commented on the outstanding music quality proposed by the The Walden Chamber Music Society musicians.

Three more concerts are scheduled, two at the SteamPlant Theater on February 8 and on March 22, and for the first time one concert will be presented at the Valley Fellowship Church in Buena Vista on May 3. Each of those concerts will bring a variety of chamber music from classical Bach to more contemporary Messiaen and Stravinsky, performed by the outstanding Walden musicians. More information is available.

The drawing for the « Intimate Evening by the River », which consists of a gourmet 5-course dinner for 6 guests, prepared by chef Dakota with a private performance by pianist Jo Boatright, took place during the intermission. The winner is Chuck Azzopardi of Livonia, Michigan. Three more tickets were drawn for a Walden t-shirt. The winners are Bonnie Butler-Wilke of Long Beach, CA, Allen Lane of New York and Barb Haxby-Brady of Buena Vista. A big thank you to all those who participated in the fundraising, the local business community, the many residents, and the faithful audience. As a Walden Board member said, «Without such support, no one would be able to enjoy such outstanding performances. »

More fundraising events are upcoming including an on-line auction of a Monarch ski pass and the sale of a beautiful aspen vessel created by Robert Gray. For more information on the upcoming concerts, the fundraising opportunities, and/or how to become a a member of the Walden Circle, contact Marie at paule@chaffeeco.net or call 719-395-2097.