To the editor:

Recently, seven musicians from around the country arrived on Whidbey Island to perform a rich variety of quintets (and one gorgeous sextet) composed by Boccherini, Mozart, Reger, Glazonuv and Brahms on- stage at The Clyde Theatre. For nearly a year, the business of planning, organizing, designing, fundraising, staging, printing sheet music, recording, providing guest rooms and driving musicians where they needed to be was generously carried out by many kind and energetic locals.

As founder and artistic director of Ensemble M, a global Whidbey Island-based chamber music society, I would like to thank all those who performed onstage and offstage in ensemble to bring 18th and 19th century music to life at The Clyde and making this fine music accessible to our community with so much grace.

I applaud all of you from my heart filled with gratitude: Linda Morris, Mary Ann Mansfield, JoAnn and Artie Kane, Douglas Kelly, Blake and Lynn Willeford, Diane Kendy, Sue Kublusek, Stacie Burgua and the staff at WICA, Brett Webber, David Barg, Kevin Kleinmann, Karen Mauch, Bill and Carol Wiseman, Tom and Sally Cahill, Sharon Heath, Paul Arnold, John Kim, Kathryn Picht Read, Suzanne Ornstein, Judith Serkin, Rudolph Vrbsky, Kirk Francis, Greg Garborino, Sue Frause, Troy Haines, Shirlee Read and staff, generous attendees and patrons of the Friday Night Gala Concert, and our enthusiastic Clyde matinee audiences.

Ensemble M appreciates all encouragement and support to continue performing beyond our baby steps at The Clyde.

Thank you all.

Judy Geist

Violist with Ensemble M and The Philadelphia Orchestra