Notes from the Piano Bench Washington International Piano Arts Council (WIPAC)

Established 2001August 25 D Fall 2015 Volume X Special Edition * No. 8

In This Issue

Autumn Leaves

* Message from The Chairman of the Board

From the President

WIPAC GALA

Highlights and scenes

Black Tie Club

Activities in another Art Form

Greetings for a happy birthday

to

JOHN GARDECKI

And

Melissa beale

WELCOME to the Wonderful World of Music

Autumn Leaves….The beauty of Nature

Robin Phillips shared Momsandguns's photo.

Message from the Chair ……………………………… Fall they say, Autumn I prefer….whatever is best, it is a beautiful

time in our America when trees, grass and leafy things change its

colors from green to yellow, orange, red, burgundy, as the photo

above shows! WOW, the amazing part of nature.

Now the beauty of life is music and WIPAC is busy with it! Our

season began with the 2015 Fall Piano Concert Series Part I at The

Kosciuszko Foundation Center last September featuring pianist

extraordinaire Eric Himy who performed four Chopin Ballades in

less than 50 minutes! Part II was another all-Chopin program performed by the

winningest pianist Michael Slavin, who holds all major competition prizes from Paris,

Washington now Warsaw!!! And the evening that was…November 13, Fall Gala at

the OAS. What a night! So many people to thank, Carmen, Mickey, Nicole,

Nancita, Darlene, Robin, Diane to name a few! Big hug to all….. Chateau Gardecki, WIPAC Board Chair and Founder

(100 Most influential Women in the U.S. of Phil. Descent 2011 Filipino Women’s Network)

WIPAC QUOTE

“Music gives a soul to

the universe…

Wings to the mind,

Flight to the

imagination and

Life to everything.”

Plato

Category of Links

WWW.WIPAC.ORG

Calendar of Events Call 703 728-7766

Notes as a Rose

Radio Classique

2015

Kosciuszko

Foundation Center

2025 O Street NW

Washington, DC

From the President

Dear friends of WIPAC, I cannot believe we have moved past the beautiful fall already.The foliage had turned into magnificent colors but the days are definitely getting cooler now, as we are preparing for our Christmas party which will be on December 11 at the Slovakian Embassy. Thinking back to the summer and our Festival of Music-- and the great time we all had listening to our pianists perform the most wonderful music. I must mention again, our three time winner Michael Cheung, who was the crowned performer of the festival. This brings me to our fabulous WIPAC gala at the OAS. The success of this gala will help us continue to bring piano music to the Washington area and make the music flourish. We had a great turn out with ticket sales for the gala. The evening was a total success. We had wonderful auction items, which brought in some funds and we had donations .But most of all I appreciate the great support of all the friends of WIPAC. Without their dedication we cannot succeed. As always, I would like to thank Chateau and John Gardecki, for their leadership and their good work. They surely are a treasure. Again, thank you for joining us at the OAS, on November 13. We had a wonderful dinner from Catering Solutions and a great band to keep us on the dance floor. Last but not least a big thank you goes to the board, our Gala Chairs, the Committees and our volunteers for making it all possible. Have a wonderful Holiday season. Warm regards,

Clayton Eisinger President

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CLAYTON & SUSIE EISINGER WITH JUDY AND STEPHEN BAER

Rhoda and Leila Rita, Chateau, Robin & Randy Rhoda and Melissa

Special

Acknowledgement

Matching Grant Donors Reinsch-Pierce Family

Foundation Richard Lounsbery

Foundation

Donors and Patrons

Mr. & Mrs. Rand Allen Harriet Becker Diane Bohn

Mr. & Mrs. Ben Cox Michael & Portia Davidson Susanne & Clayton Eisinger Dr. & Mrs. Leslie H. Fenton

G. Austin Hay Lloyd & Valerie Huff

Tehmina Khan Angeles de Leon Khanna

Susan Lehrman Mr. & Mrs. C Braxton

Moncure Robin Phillips

Jacqueline Ohrstrom Lola C. Reinsch

Mr. Charles Silverman Dr. Joyce Hagel-Silverman

Jean Wigham

WIPAC DIPLOMATIC Friends

H.E. the Ambassador of Bulgaria Elena Poptodorova

H.E. Francois Delattre, the Ambassador of France to

the UN

H.E. the Ambassador of the Philippines

Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. and Mrs. Vicky Cuisia

Link to a Web page

www.wipac.org

“An Evening of Culture and Music of the Americas” A night to remember…I’ll say! By Chateau Gardecki

WASHINGTON, DC (November 14, 2015) –

The huge grand ballroom, the Hall of the

Americas at the Organization of American States

(OAS), came to life during the Washington

International Piano Arts Council (WIPAC)

Annual Gala fundraiser. Beautifully dressed

women and distinguished men started to mount

the regal staircase of one of the most elegant

buildings in the nation's capital. Entering the

hall, the setting was elegant and tall flower vases

created by Rhoda and Jean adorned the tables. WIPAC members and volunteers

all dressed up ready for “An Evening of Culture and Music of the Americas.”

Held under the gracious patronage of the Organization of American States

Secretary General Luis Almagro and co-chaired by the Ambassador of the

Philippines H.E. Jose L. Cuisia Jr. and Madame Vicky Cuisia in cooperation

with the OAS Credit Union, WIPAC hosted the evening dinner-dance to benefit

the Festival of Music and the 14th Washington International Piano Artists

Competition in July 2016.

As Bolivian Jazz player Bernandino Crespo serenaded gala goers, champagne

flowed and silent auction tables filled with wonderful items opened for bids at the

magnificent OAS foyer/veranda overlooking the beautiful Aztec Garden below.

The festivities began on time as Gala M/C Chas Henry introduced WIPAC

President Clayton Eisinger, who opened the program by acknowledging the

distinguished guests of the evening. Carlos Calderon, Gala Chair then

welcomed WIPAC guests to the OAS for this special evening.

Representing the Philippine Ambassador who was out of town,

Chargé d’Affaires, Patrick Chuasoto took the lectern to share a

letter from His Excellency which read, “I am honored to be one

of the WIPAC Co-Chairs for this year’s 14th annual gala. It is

my hope that WIPAC remains committed to promoting cultural

understanding by inspiring professional and non-professional

artists to share their talents with audiences in all walks of life. The citizens of my

country have a special love for music, and I hope that one day soon, WIPAC will

expand its talent search to Manila.”

Chas then called on pianist, Thomas Pandolfi, who reversed

the original order of his program and performed George

Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue,” which is reminiscent of

“American in Paris” at the same time that Paris was in

turmoil! Without alarming our guests who are mostly

“Francophiles,” it took all the will power that I had to avoid

making any specific reference to it. Thank You Thomas!

You are truly an American pianist!

Pandolfi closed his program with Chopin’s “Revolutionary” Etude, and we all

gathered strength! Même pas peur! He is a Juilliard School graduate, and as Joe

David described, “brightened the evening with Fryderyk Chopin’s Etude in C

The 2016 Festival of

Music and

The 14th

Washington

International Piano

Competition is

annually presented

In cooperation with

the George

Washington

University music

department,

the Kosciuszko

Foundation

♪♪♪

Special Guests and

Patrons

Leeda and Rand Allen

Lola C. Reinsch

J Almont Pierce

Ms. Robin Phillips

Friends Harriet Becker

Mike & Portia Davidson

Lloyd and Valerie Huff

Diane Merriam

Wei Ling Wang

Washington

International Piano

Arts Council Diplomatic Council

H.E., the Ambassador of

Bulgaria Elena Poptodorova

and Mr. Georgi Petrov

H.E., the Ambassador of the

Philippines and Mrs. Jose L.

Cuisia, Jr.

H.E. the Ambassador of

Portugal Nuno Brito and Mrs.

Rosa Batoreu

Honorary Board

Leeda and Rand Allen

The Honorable & Mrs. Robert

Blackwell

Dr. & Mrs. Leslie H. Fenton

G. Austin Hay

Tehmina Khan

Maria Carmen and Peter

Mermagen

J. Almont Pierce

Lola C. Reinsch

Carol Rudman

Dr. .Joyce Hagel-Silverman

Minor. His extraordinary musical virtuosity has been enjoyed in countries around

the world where he has had an opportunity to perform to distinguished crowds.”

The moving piano performance was followed by the beautifully costumed

Morenada Bolivian Dancers magically transforming the ballroom into a

colorful extravaganza of dance, which had the entire audience rising to their feet

to join in. What a sight to behold! Dinner was served and the Angels and Aces began

playing music, prompting guests to dance. After dinner,

Chateau Gardecki, WIPAC’s Board Chair and

Founder, presented appreciation gifts to Chas Henry and

Thomas Pandolfi for their participation and support of

the gala. As a token of gratitude, Chateau presented a

Certificate of Appreciation to WIPAC Parliamentarian,

Michael Davidson, for his contribution as Chairman of

the Piano Competition Jury for 6 years running, whilst

Carlos Calderon was honored with a Certificate of Recognition for his support

and cooperation in making the gala possible at OAS.

To add excitement during the gala, Portia Davidson masterfully auctioned off

three items live, which included “Tea in the Afternoon” for 20 guests with H.E.

Elena Poptodorova, the Ambassador of Bulgaria, at her residence, won by Susie

Eisinger’s group. A wonderful addition was a basket donated by Madame Leila

Beale, wife of H.E., the Ambassador of Barbados, John Beale which provided “A

Taste of Rum from the Island of Barbados.” This ended up on the table of

Clayton Eisinger.

Topping all these is a note from H.E., the former Ambassador

of Iceland, Helgi and Madame Heba Augustsson wrote:

“Although we cannot be with you again for the WIPAC Gala

this year, we will raise our glasses in a toast to you on Friday

night. We have always had such a wonderful time with you

and having you as friends was very valuable and dear to us. I

wish we could dance with you at the Gala once more!”

Guests enjoyed the company of other diplomats and

special guests such as Ambassador Jacinth Henry-

Martin, Chief of Staff to OAS Secretary General Luis

Almagro; H.E. Ambassador of the Commonwealth of

Domenica Hubert Charles and Madame Sylvia

Charles; Shahin Mafi, Founder/Trustee of the Azar

Foundation for Children of the World; WIPAC Honorary

Members Rand and Leeda Allen and Tehmina Khan;

WIPAC Benefactors Lola Reinsch and Al Pierce, and

WIPAC Board Member Robin Phillips.

Special Thanks to Carmen Stull for sustaining the fort! Big, big thanks to Jan

DuPlain, Joe David and Patricia McDougal and to all our volunteers headed by

Caroline, Mary and Nancy. Additional thanks to Mickey Nedelcovic, Gala Co-

Chair, for securing roundtrip tickets for two to any Salvadoran city from

Aristides Luna of Avianca Airlines won by Nicole D’Amecourt! It was

certainly a night to remember!

Executive Board

Chateau Gardecki,

Chair and Founder

Clayton Eisinger, President

Diane Merriam –

Vice President

Jean Wigham, Treasurer

Portia Davidson, Secretary

Chief Financial Officer John Gardecki

Board Members

Harriet Becker

Ma. Salve Bernabe

Jeanne Blackwell

Nicole d’Amecourt

Susanne Eisinger

Zelmira B. Nedelcovic

Robin Phillips

Judith Ramage

Parliamentarian

Michael Davidson, Esq.

Diplomatic Liaison

Rhoda Septilici

Artistic Advisory Board

Jerome Barry, Frederic Chiu

John Gardecki, Eric Himy

Stuart Isacoff

Raymond Jackson

Tzvetan Konstantinov

Contact: WIPAC

3862 Farrcroft Drive

FAIRFAX, VA 22030

Use PayPal link

For all donations

www.wipac.org

Gift Giving Form

Available at

www.wipac.org

♪♪♪ IN MEMORIAM

Barry Dalinsky November 18, 2015

Condolences and

Prayers to the Dalinsky Family

Bolivian Morenada

Dancer!

G. Austin Hay with Harriet

Becker, Board Member

Bill Detty and Lola Reinsch

Sipping champagne

Jan DuPlain with Portia and Mike Davidson^^^

<<<< Nancy Dunton with friends enjoying the scenes

Highlights of the Gala Evening, November 13

Bill Detty, Regina & Martin Donelly & Lola Reinsch << Jean Wigham, Melissa & Leila, Frances Berkman

WIPAC

NEW MEMBERS

H.E. the Ambassador of Fiji Winston Thompson

and Mrs. Queenie Thompson

Amb. & Mrs. Paul Hartman

Jan Anderson Kazuko Bach Malia Baduw

Elaine Bainbridge Caroline Baker

Bari Berger Diane Bohn

Patricia Chapell Craig & Eva Coleman

Gabriela Coman Jennifer Coombs

John Curd Joseph David

Lisa Dickelman Salvatrice DeLuca

Marlies Diehl Pernille Elbech

Nick & Patti Gardecki Luz & Jack Gregory

Shelly Harlow Tehmina Kahn

Ioanna and Paul Lee Barbara & Warren

Lewis Hal Matson

Camilla McCaslin Jesse Morrow

Jan Phillips Eva Salmoiraghi

Wayne & Linda Sharp Sheila & Tom Switzer

Lynn Theismann Pauline Thompson

Mr & Mrs Lars Thunell Eberhard & Veronika

von Loehneysen

Contact: WIPAC

3862 Farrcroft Drive

FAIRFAX, VA 22030

Highlights & Scenes at the Gala

H.E.Ambassador of the Commonwealth of Dominica Hubert and Sylvia Charles with the Gardeckis and Bolivia dancers leader **** Sheila Switzer, Chateau Gardecki Rosario Montes. Carlos Calderon and Shahin Mafi

Elaine, Robin and Alix toasting to a night of friendship, music and culture

Bulgarian Ambassador Elena Poptodorova with Tehmina Khan, Mr. Georgi Petrov, Regina****Dr. Vic Lorica, Carmen Stull and Martin Donnelly **Philippine Embassy Charge d’Affaires Patrick Chuasoto^^

Celebrating Birthday and Anniversary!!

Birthday boy John Gardecki with only Son Nicholas who joined the gala with lovely wife Patti as the auction live spotters celebrating 17

th wedding

anniversary. Thanks Guys!

Use PayPal link

For all donations

www.wipac.org

Gift Giving Form

Available at

www.wipac.org

Pay here for

Lady WIPAC bid!

She is framed and

ready to be hung in

your chosen spot at

home

Great idea to use old

unwanted piano.

Gala Accoutrement

Invitation, menu and

party favors

BLACK TIE ANNUAL MEMBER DINNER at Congressional Black Tie Club. It was a lovely evening always! We danced, danced and danced some more. This dinner was always well-attended by members. Former WIPAC Executive Officers Charles and Joy Silverman (ex BTC President) who just recently moved to Naples, Florida flew to Washington to be present. They have not missed this dinner-dance by Black Tie since becoming a member. The evening began with an hour Cocktails and dancing ensued as soon as guests

were beckoned to their tables as Angel and Aces band started playing. Congratulations to Helen Gordon, elected President and to other newly elected officers. NOTICE MEMBERS PRESENT - CROSS POLINATION, HEH? Thus event is featured in WIPAC Fall Newsletter. Highlight of the evening was the turn over at the helm.

Robert Gair**Charles and Dr. Joyce-Hagel Silverman**Mickey Nedelcovic & Paris Singer

John & Chateau Gardecki **John and Marta Sewall ^Robin Phillips & Randy ***^^ with Phil & Maureen Martin Roffman

John Dassoulas and

Judith Ramage ----------->>

The Festival of Music 2016

& The 14th Annual

Washington International Piano Artists Competition

CASH AWARDS Grand Prize

Debut Recital -The

Kosciuszko Foundation

Center

First Prize - $ 2,000

Second Prize - $ 1,000

Third Prize - $ 500

♫♫♫

TROPHIES

First Prize Piano

Second & Third

Competition

Certificates

♫♫♫

SPECIAL AWARDS-

$250 and Donors

Best Performance of

Bach’s composition

Best Performance of

Beethoven works

Best Performance of

Chopin works

Best Performance of a

Polish composition

Best Performance for

Baroque Period

Best Performance of

Contemporary Work

Best Performance of

Classical

Most Imaginative

Programming

Best Performance of a

Romantic Period

Best Performance of

Bach composition

The Audience Award

The Press Jury Award

MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES IN ANOTHER ART FORM

WIPAC Honorary Board Member Lola Reinsch with dance instructor in a dress rehearsal for Dancing with the Stars Gala in October to raise funds for several charity organizations. WIPAC members and friends went for moral support.