Today’s meeting was held at the Michigan League and was called to order by President Roy.  We sang the national anthem and the membership then proceeded to recite the Four Way Test.

For his inspirational message, Ben Bolen spoke of the reasons that he joined Rotary, and with his military background, reminded us of some similarities of the two. One important purpose of our club is acting upon good ideas, not just talking about them.  Figure out what might be a good idea and act; don’t assume someone else will!  

We had a small concert of sorts for our musical selection today as Marlena Studer and the Red Door Duo led us in a great, jazzy version of George Gershwin’s ‘Summertime’.  

Announcements

President Roy provided thanks to all of today’s meeting helpers – from mic runners to greeters and everyone in between.  Because we had a large group (16) of visitors to today’s meeting, we asked them to stand and be welcomed all at once.  Three birthdays were announced for Charlie Koopmann, Ann Schriber and Todd Kephart.  No anniversaries this week.

‘Who Is It?’ Our weekly member trivia was led by Joanne Pierson.  After about 3 or 4 clues, there were many shout-outs for Norman Herbert!  Thanks, Norman, for all that you do for our Club in addition to your support for many other community efforts.   

President Roy took a moment to introduce/reintroduce us to the Rotary Foundation Board members and remind us of the great work of this group as they help us to manage our RCAA Endowment.  

Susan Shipman reminded us of the upcoming GEO (Golf & Entertainment Outing) on September 14 at  Barton Hills Country Club.  This is our 23rd annual event and our largest fundraising event of the year to support funds for Helping Kids Succeed.  Items for the silent auction are still being accepted – contact Susan (susanshipman@comcast.net) for more details.

Sara Maddock presented a short video of the STRIVE scholarships that support students enrolled in this program.  She attended the June graduation ceremony for the six STRIVE scholars and the video demonstrated how the impactful these scholarships are to these students and how they provide much needed support.  Sara is looking for mentors for this program!  If interested, contact her (sara@saramaddock.com.

Today’s speaker, Cynthia Kortman Westphal, is the Chair of Chair of the UM  Musical Theatre Department. Her presentation was titled ‘The Art of Musical Theatre from Michigan to Broadway”.  Cynthia’s journey from a household where there was minimal TV or other entertainment exposure to a chance trip to New York City where she took refuge (by chance) in a Broadway Theatre and discovered that a woman was conducting the pit orchestra was a riveting story, indeed.  As a classically trained pianist and thinking that was her future, her ideas quickly changed upon seeing a female conductor and realized ‘that’ was her calling.  She then spent many years working on Broadway collecting many titles – conductor, director, etc.  After leaving New York and returning home to Michigan and the UM, she reflected on how her experience shaped her as a teacher.  Not growing up in/near musical theatre was helpful, she says, because she had to learn and experience it with an adult ‘lens’.

Cynthia gave us an idea of what it’s like applying to the School of MTD and it’s quite competitive.  Applicants must submit a variety of videos and materials that are screened for possible audition.  This year they received about 1,400 applications, auditioned 450 students and settled on a final class of 25 students.  They are looking for a combination of attributes and trying to determine which students have the greatest potential for growth.  Talent and potential is the winning combination.  Like Rotary, she and her faculty are focused on creating opportunities for students.  Be sure to check the upcoming Fall and Winter schedule of upcoming events from MTD students, and get out there and enjoy some live performances!

President Roy’s closing quote for the day: In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.  – Abraham Lincoln

The meeting was then adjourned at 1:30pm.