October 20, 2012

 

It seems a little premature to start talking about the upcoming holiday season, but I know people begin making plans early and I'm hoping you'll mark a couple of events we're planning on your calendar. December will be here before we know it!

I extend my personal invitation for you to join us at Mayville State as we celebrate the holiday season in song. The Mayville State Concert Band and Choir will present a holiday concert Sunday, December 2, and the MSU Foundation will host its first-ever Poinsettia Ball Saturday, December 8. We look forward to both of these events with great anticipation.

If you attended the band and choir's homecoming concert last weekend, you know that the Christmas concert is sure to be a real treat. The concert will begin at 2:00 p.m. December 2 in the MSU Classroom Building Auditorium. Admission is free and open to the public. Don't miss this opportunity to hear our talented student musicians under the direction of Michael Bakken, and assisted by Greta Paschke.

Continuing the tradition of the Holiday Gala, the MSU Foundation will sponsor its first-ever Poinsettia Ball Saturday, December 8. The evening will include dancing, socializing, an hors d'oeuvres buffet, and cash bar.

Music will be provided by Downtown Horns of Grand Forks. Members of Downtown Horns include Dave Christianson, Jen Loer, Lynn Schroeder, Michael Wittgraf, Dan Christianson, Dave Berger, Mike Blackmun, and Phil Jensen. Lynn Schroeder, from Cavalier, N.D., is a 1981 graduate of Mayville State. The Downtown Horns plays selections from the rock, blues, and horn band genres. The ensemble is the recipient of rave reviews wherever they perform.

The Poinsettia Ball will begin at 7:00 p.m. December 8 in the Mayville State University Campus Center Luckasen Room. Dress is semi-formal, and the event is for those 21 years of age and older. The event will end at 11:00 p.m. Tickets for the Poinsettia Ball sell for $25.00 each and can be purchased at the MSU Foundation office, 701-788-4687, or online at www.mayvillestate.edu/poinsettiaball. Tickets must be purchased in advance and will be available until November 28.

Here's an idea! Why not make the Poinsettia Ball the site for your business's holiday party? We can reserve tables so that everyone in your group may sit together. This would be a great way to celebrate with your employees and co-workers, and all the planning has already been done for you! For more information about this exciting opportunity, contact Donor Services Representative Michelle McLean at the MSU Foundation office, 701-788-4687 or michelle.mclean@mayvillestate.edu.

Many thanks to Shireen Grinager, Kim Lauf, and Betsy Ewen, as well as MSU Foundation Development Committee members Paul Batesel and Kelly Morrison, and the MSU Foundation staff for their assistance in helping to bring what is sure to be a wonderful evening to the Mayville State campus. We appreciate their creativity and hard work that will make this happen.

As the holidays near, our thoughts turn especially to those who are most special to us. We at Mayville State are truly grateful to our alumni and friends for their loyal support throughout the year. Providing these opportunities to get together and celebrate this festive season is just one way that we can show our appreciation and gratitude. We hope that you'll join us!