With the hoopla of seasonal frolic behind us, we here at the “Negro Spiritual” Scholarship Foundation band together and turn again to the hard but joyous  tasks of celebrating great American music, uncovering tremendous talent, and supporting great futures in 2010.

In two weeks we will join the City of Orlando in commemorating a U.S. National Holiday that honors the birth of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  Our Foundation’s perennial role in marking the citywide observance is to present a program of cultural offerings that reflect the passion of the American spirit expressed in the talents of various artists, primarily those who live, work and perform in the metropolitan area local to us. The 2010 ‘CITY OF HOPE’ program will be presented on Friday 15th January 2010 at 7 p.m. in the Community Room of the Villas at Hampton Park, 325 North Hillside Avenue in Orlando.  Special guest artist  Azschrielle Jackson will perform.  Currently a freshman music major at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Miss Jackson holds our  2009 (Florida) GRADY-RAYAM PRIZE as the winning Female Vocalist.  Her budding contralto voice is hauntingly beautiful, and she is not to be missed!  Round up a few friends and come celebrate the spirit of community with us.  The program is free and open to the public.

The final round of  the 2010 (Florida) GRADY-RAYAM PRIZE Competition will be sung on the campus of  Florida Southern College in Lakeland on Saturday, 13th February from 12:30 until 3:00 in the afternoon. Only a limited audience is allowed, so to gain free admission you must call Music & Education Director Tai Oney at 407/841-NSSF (6773) or e-mail him  toney@negrospiritual.org with your request for seating.

Reservations can be made for our  World-Premiere Gala on Saturday 6th March 2010 by calling our office at 407/841-NSSF (6773).  We are returning to the fabulous banquet halls of Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando for this incredible black-tie evening of fine dining, stellar performances by classically-trained singers, and our signature ”afterglow” reception featuring scrumptious desserts with champagne service and  live jazz for dancing. The event gets underway at 6:30 p.m.  Tickets are $150.00 per person, with great corporate purchase and sponsorship options available as well. I hope to see you there.

I want to share with all of you a bit of news that is personal, the truth of which is best learned directly from me rather than by hearsay or rumor.  Early in the month of December, I was diagnosed with a strain of cancer.  All tests indicate that the disease is local to the site where it was discovered.  Two weeks ago I began a course of treatment that looks promising as regards shrinking and containing the cancer, with further treatment planned that aims to eradicate it altogether.   Effects of the treatment are predicted to be more of a nuisance than an impediment to my functional lifestyle, and my general health should remain as strong overall moving forward  as it is now.  The medical team involved in designing and executing the treatment plan is first-rate, as is my primary care physician.  Please be assured that all is well .  For now, I need nothing from friends and colleagues beyond kind thoughts and the prayers of those who do pray. I value every instance of the compassion you hold for me, and thank you in advance for doing so.

I am leaning forward into the 2010 calendar year with characteristic hopefulness, and the full expectation that those who love and support the “NS”SF mission will continue to help us put flesh on the bones of our dreams.  Our Board of Directors is fully engaged in the pursuit of the funding we need; they have my untold admiration and gratitude for all their hard work and dedication.  For your part, please continue to be generous as you are able.

In earnest,

Rudi Cleare