Dear friends and fellow music lovers,

        It is with great pleasure that I announce San Marcos Performing Arts Association’s (SMPAA’s) next three projects! 

       First, on December 10, the San Marcos Community Chorus and the SMART Orchestra will combine again to perform the Christmas Section with the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah at the First Baptist Church.  Rehearsals will begin on Sunday, October 8, from 2:30-4:30 p.m. at the First Lutheran Church, 130 W. Holland St.  All singers are welcome to join the chorus, auditions for solos will be scheduled by appointment around rehearsals, and soloists will be paid $100’s each for the performance.                        

     Secondly, SMPAA is producing the Christmas opera, “Amahl and the Night Visitors” by Gian-Carlo Menotti for “Three Kings Sunday,” January 6, 2023, at the Price Center.  The story is of the Three Kings on their way to visit the Christ child, as they stop over at the home of a crippled boy and his mother.  Past SMPAA productions have also featured young girls in the role of Amahl.  The role of the mother is traditionally a mezzo-soprano role, but the range is not unreachable for other voice types or qualities. The roles of the Three Kings and Page include a tenor, baritone, bass, and baritone respectively.  We will also need a small chorus of twelve or so, a pianist, volunteers, and an oboe player.  There are several videos of “Amahl...” on YouTube, and we have scores available.  Auditions are scheduled for September 30 and October 6, beginning at 1 p.m. at the S.M. Public Library.  More auditions will be available by appointment until all roles are filled.  We hope to double-cast all solo roles and will have four performances.  Soloist will be paid $50’s, and choristers will be paid $25’s per performance to help defray expenses for time and travel.                                                                                                                                                       Third, SMPAA will sponsor a Spring Concert featuring the works of John Rutter, including the Rutter’s Requiem on Sunday, May 21, 2023.  Soloists will audition by appointment and will again receive $100’s each.  Rehearsal and performance venue to be announced.                                                                                                                                    For more information, please visit our website, smpaa.us, reply to this email, or call me at home = (512) 353-8122 or my cell = (512) 210-1658.  Please excuse me, if you receive this notice more than once.  I am truly trying to get the word out to as many folks as possible and encourage you to help me to spread the word for our most successful season ever!

                                                                                                 Rick Bowen

                                                                                           SMPAA President