Wow! The Natchez Festival of Music’s 22nd season has ended on a very “high note” with music still humming in the heads of all who attended and plans for our 23rd season are already in the making. The opening date will be May 4, 2013.

The professional quality of the musicians — vocalist, chamber orchestra, instrumentalist, chorus members, artistic and stage directors — as well as, the stage performances, back-drops/sets, designers and individual recital performances by all of the artists were extraordinary.

As the 2012 chairman of The Natchez Festival of Music, I wish to thank every person, business and organization that supported this year’s season in any way — your attendance, your time, your money, your kindnesses — this season was tremendously successful, because of you. With Dr. Jay Dean’s leadership and guidance, combined with his and our vision for the future of our festival, the Natchez Festival of Music is becoming the most popular and growing festival in the South. Last year, young artists from all over the world auditioned in New York and in Natchez in October, with hopes of landing a bid to participate in our festival.

Once they are here, they truly want to return for the next season — they readily become ambassadors for the City of Natchez.

To complete such a successful season doesn’t come by accident. It takes a team of persons that are willing to give a lot of hard work with dedication, organization, persistence, endurance, sacrifice, unlimited time, money and love for a music festival, that benefits and enriches the lives of all of the citizens who live in Natchez and in the Miss-Lou.

Our Artistic director, Dr. Jay Dean, the 2012 regular and eminent board members, the 2012 festival guild board and guild members, the City of Natchez, the State of Mississippi and many other individuals made-up this year’s working team and I sincerely say thank you, thank you to all —it could not have happened without you and your daily determination and efforts.

Plans for renovating The Margaret Martin Performing Arts Center, formerly Natchez High School, are well into the making — thanks to Natchez City Planner, Bob Nix, and the executive director of Historic Natchez Foundation, Mimi Miller and her associates.

Also, thanks to the many Natchez High School Alumni for their past, present and future support of restoring this very historic and beautiful building which we all love so dearly. We humbly ask that all of the citizens of Natchez please stay involved with this most worthy renovation project as we undertake to preserve its historic significance. The building is a State of Mississippi Historical Landmark, therefore, in order to comply with the present grant and receive future grants for this project, specific guidelines from the State of Mississippi and the City of Natchez have to be met, along with permits, prior to any restoration of the exterior of the building. Our goal and dream for this building is to have it become the performing arts center of the South.

As I am writing, progress is being made and work is being done. We are so excited to be a part of this restoration and we are so fortunate and blessed to have one of our very own, “the expert” — Mimi Miller — working with us, along with her associates, helping to make our dream come true — thank you Mimi!

The mission of the Natchez Festival of Music is to enlighten and enrich the lives of the citizens of the greater Mississippi/Louisiana region and neighboring areas by producing operas, operettas, musicals, recitals and special concerts by providing educational outreach programs in music and the performing arts. Our vision is to be a driving force for cultural activity that attracts people to Natchez and Mississippi from around the world.

We will continue our mission and vision in the community by helping promote a one-of-a-kind event saluting soldiers and their loved ones that will be presented at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 28, at Copiah-Lincoln Community College’s Natchez Campus. The pre-Fourth of July program is called “A Salute to Soldiers and Loved Ones in Piano and Poetry” featuring the extraordinary talents of pianist and composer Sylvia Johns Ritchie and poet and veteran G. Mark La Francis.

This event will be presented in the W.L. Nelson Multi-Purpose Room in the Career and Technical Education Center. The program is a benefit for the Natchez Festival of Music and is free to the public.

Please mark your calendars for this special event and plan to attend.

“Music is the universal language for all” — so, may we all work together to enrich the lives of every citizen in Natchez and the Miss-Lou through music.

 

Mary Lessley is the chairman of the Natchez Festival of Music.