Newtown’s Ambassadors Of Music:

To the Editor:

A concert and music festival experience in Italy is a return to the roots of Western Civilization. Musical heritage was born in Italy as the Italians, with help from the French, invented the system of musical notation used today. Regardless of one’s musical tastes — classical, opera, baroque, etc — the roots are all found in Italy. Italian composers like Verdi, Gabrieli, Monteverdi, Paganini, Vivaldi, Puccini, and Rossini are household names.

The Newtown High School Orchestra and Chorus will travel to Italy in April as ambassadors of music for the American Celebration of Music 2006. The invitation to perform in this country is truly an honor. During their ten-day tour, the musicians will play in Rome, Florence, Venice, and Milan. The chorus will sing in St Peter’s Cathedral on Aril 17, during a special Easter mass. These musical messengers have the distinguished privilege of placing Newtown, Conn., on the international map. (“It is Nicer in Newtown” — and our music program is no exception.) We can all be very proud of this exceptional group of kids, products of our school system.

Orchestra members have worked hard to fundraise for this trip as well as promote the town of Newtown by organizing the Monopoly-like game “Newtownopoly.” The group is seeking local businesses to purchase advertising spots on the board. This fundraiser is a great way to promote any Newtown business, big or small. For example, if your business purchased the “Deed cards” for the game, similar to the cards in Monopoly, each time a player buys a property in the game, they receive a deed card. On each card, the information about that property is listed on one side of the card and the sponsor’s business name is printed on the back. There are 28 deed cards, so the sponsor’s logo is printed 28 times. With 1,000 games in circulation, this would equal 28,000 advertising impressions.

This unique game will be in circulation for many years and since it is a limited edition, it will be a “collector’s item,” making it a lasting advertisement investment versus a single season or year investment. (Don’t forget, it is 100 percent tax deductible and David Merrill’s incredible art work of our famous Labor Day Parade is on the front of the game making this a collectible art piece!)

Orchestra members will be hosting a “Musical Marathon” on March 18, from 11 am to 4 pm, at Lexington Gardens to acquire more sponsorships and presell games. Please come join the fun while listening to music, playing the game, and shopping!

If you have a business in Newtown and are interested in investing in our town’s music program as well as your own business, please call me at 270-9763 by March 30.

The High School Orchestra and the town of Newtown are grateful for the commitment, excitement, and contribution Newtown business owners and residents have made to this fundraiser. Your support can help make the musical magic come true for these outstanding young people as well as help us all celebrate Newtown! Thank you! Ciao!

Linda Jones

16 Walnut Tree Hill Road, Newtown                     March 15, 2006