Key staff changes at the Bermuda National Gallery

The Bermuda National Gallery will undergo key personnel changes between the end of this month and January 1, 2009. Leaving at the end of November to take a top post at another not-for-profit organisation is the BNG's current education and development officer, Gita Blakeney-Saltus, while founding director Laura Gorham has relinquished her post from January 1, 2009.

Current BNG education and programming director Lisa Howie will become the acting director of the City Hall gallery on January 1, 2009 until such time as a new, permanent director is appointed.

Booze Brothers Band — again!

Due to popular demand, tickets for the first soul music event by the Booze Brothers Band, scheduled for Friday, November 21 at the Bermuda Society of Arts gallery in City Hall, sold out so rapidly that the eight-piece group featuring some of Bermuda's top musicians has agreed to do it all again the following night, Saturday, November 22. Tickets ($25) for this event are also selling fast, so those wishing to attend should either visit or telephone the gallery without delay. The telephone number is 292-3824, and the e-mail address is bsoa@ibl.bm

Music while you munch

The Menuhin Foundation Quartet will present the first in a series of free lunchtime concerts, 'Menuhin on Mondays,' in City Hall foyer on November 24 between 12.15 p.m. and 1 p.m. The programme will consist of popular classical works, including Bernstein's 'Tonight' from 'West Side Story', Pachabel's 'Canon', and Bach's 'Brandenberg Concerto'. Members of the string quartet are Caroline Gledhill (1st violin), Charles Knights (2nd violin), Karen O'Brien (viola) and Alison Johnstone (cello), and their aim is for the public to come along and enjoy classical music while eating their lunch.

Ensemble Singers Christmas concert

Earmark December 14 for The Ensemble Singers' Christmas concert, to be held at Wesley Methodist Church at 4 p.m.

The programme, featuring beautifully arranged, familiar compositions written by a variety of classical and modern composers, will be directed by the Ensemble's choral director and Wesley organist, Lloyd Matthew, who will be playing on the church's magnificently restored 1924 Casavant organ.

Tickets ($35) will be available from The Music Box, Wesley Church office, and members of The Ensemble Singers. For further information tel. 236 2219 or e-mail gphillips@logic.bm

The Ensemble Singers, one of Bermuda's premier choral ensembles, has had a great year, the highlight of which was an opportunity to encourage two young Bermudians to pursue music studies both here and overseas — something which would not have been possible without the active participation and support of its many friends and sponsors at their concerts.

National Dance Foundation/PartnerRe master classes

Requisite pre-registration is now underway for the first of the NDFB's 2008-9 free master classes, which will take place from November 28-30 inclusive. In addition to ballet and modern technique, several new classes have been added. These are: composition/improvisation, introduction to creative choreography, repertory by Robert Battle, and repertory by Jessica Lang.

Kanji Segawa, a member of leading young American choreographer Robert Battle's company, 'Battleworks', will teach phrases from Battle's highly energetic, athletic work, while Ms Lang, whose innovative and inspiring choreography has been performed and acclaimed around the world, will teach phrases from contemporary pieces created on various dance comanes, including lyrical and emotional work.

For further information/to register e-mail ksmith@dancebermuda.org, or telephone 236-3319/535-1043.