It is my privilege to invite you to join the Natchez Festival of Music Guild for the 2011 season of the festival. This is our 21st year of bringing world class music to our community.

Throughout the year, the guild produces a variety of special events and activities in support of the Natchez Festival of Music.

Please plan to attend our 2011 Guild Membership Party from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at 812 Main St., the home of Peggy and Jack Benson.  We have some fabulous events coming up that we will be telling everyone about, and we want you to be aware of them so that you can plan to participate in them. Marvin McDonald will play for us at the party, and we will have refreshments. Please invite friends to join us. The guild is open to all who are interested in helping in any way to continue to make the Natchez Festival of Music a major component in the cultural and economic vitality in our area.

Annual dues are very nominal: $20 for an individual, $10 for students, $30 for couples, and $40 for a family. Membership in the guild will give you a free ticket to Songs of the Civil War (which is replacing Songs of the South) in April, which is a $15 value.  Basically, that makes your membership cost almost nothing.

Below are some of the upcoming activities of the guild. As a member of the guild, you are welcome, invited, and needed to help with any or all of these.

Oct. 15-17 — Man the Pepsi booth for the balloon races: Contact Maxine Brice at 601-442-1523 or her cell at 601-807-9120

Nov. 7  — Musical Tour of Homes. This will be a fabulous new event and fundraiser.

Dec. 5 — Alcorn State University’s Christmas Concert at St. Mary Basilica, followed by a guild reception.

Jan. 22-23 — The Taffetas:  Diana Glaze and Sylvia Johns Ritchie are organizing this fun, popular musical for the guild. Everyone loves this 50s music!

Feb. 14 — Our annual Valentine Party.

April 10, 11, 12 — Songs of the Civil War: This will be presented as the evening 14, 15 and 16 entertainment during the last week of the Spring Pilgrimage.

May — Welcome party for the 2011 artists.

May 28 — Final gala at the conclusion of the 2011 Natchez Festival of Music May Season

There may be other events and activities, especially as we approach the May 2011 21st season of the Natchez Festival of Music. As a member of the guild, you are welcome to participate in as much or as little as you would like involving our activities. We appreciate your support of the festival. I hope to see you Monday!

Rena Jean Schmieg is the president of the Natchez Festival of Music Guild.