By Rix Quinn

The most important light in our house is the smallest one. Like many families, we keep a tiny nightlight in a dark hallway.
That bulb’s kept me safe for years. When our child was little, it illuminated a path to her room, so we wouldn’t stumble if she called us. Later, it kept us from tripping over our large and frequently sleeping dog.
Not long ago, before guests came over, I pulled the light out so I could plug in a vacuum cleaner. Then, I forgot where I put it.
Bad idea! We couldn’t find the nightlight for several days, and I stumbled around in the dark. The nightlight’s simple mission is clear. It brightens one specific area that needs it most.
My goal is to be more like my little nightlight. I don’t offer much illumination, but at least I can help a little bit.
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The Brightmusic Society of Oklahoma announces the 2018-19 concert season of the Brightmusic Chamber Ensemble, its 16th as Oklahoma City’s premier chamber music ensemble. Five regular-season concerts and a four-concert Summer Chamber Music Festival will be presented in Oklahoma City’s beautiful and historic St. Paul’s Cathedral, recognized for its acoustic richness.
Concert 1 Sept. 25 7:30 pm “Voilà: Viola” will feature works spanning three centuries and featuring Miles Hoffman on viola in a trio by Lowell Liebermann, short pieces for clarinet, viola and piano by Max Bruch and Mozart’s String Quintet in G minor for two violins, two violas and cello. Six Brightmusic Ensemble members will join Mr. Hoffman in the season premier.
Concert 2 October 30 7:30 pm “Beethoven’s Vienna” celebrates the music that took the Austrian capitol by storm in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. This concert features a work from each of Beethoven’s three compositional periods, illustrating the evolution of one of history’s most influential composers. In performance with the Brightmusic Chamber Ensemble will be renowned violinist Aaron Berofsky in the early-period “Spring” Sonata, the middle-period “Ghost” trio and a set of late variations.
Concert 3 Jan. 15 7:30 pm “Russian Romantics” presents a pair of works by Russian late romantics Sergei Rachmaninoff, considered by many to be the greatest pianist of the 20th century, and Sergei Taneyev, Rachmaninoff’s teacher of counterpoint at the Moscow Conservatory. Seven ensemble musicians will present Rachmaninoff’s sonata for cello and piano and a lush and lively piano quintet by Taneyev.
Concert 4 March 19 7:30 pm Get your reed fix here! “Reeds A-Plenty” presents an evening of six works for winds and piano. Six musicians will perform a wide-ranging mix of compositions from the late 18th- through mid-20th centuries by a diverse group of mostly-French composers, along with a Czech and a Russian.
Concert 5 April 16 7:30 pm “Mozart: From Salzburg to Vienna” wraps up the regular season with the works of the prodigy from Salzburg, including perhaps his best-known and best-loved work, “Eine kleine Nachtmusik (“A Little Night Music). Join us for this enchanting all-Mozart evening. And it isn’t over yet: Watch for our Eighth Summer Chamber Music Festival coming in June.
Season Memberships. Season passes for all five Regular-Season concerts AND all the concerts of the Summer Chamber Music Festival are available for $100/person, a remarkable bargain for NINE concerts by some of the most distinguished musicians in Oklahoma and beyond. That comes out to only $11.11 per concert!
Avoid the line! Purchase your Season Membership on our website, Brightmusic.org, and your season pass card will be mailed to you by early September. Or get yours at the door at the first concert. And please consider making an “over and above” tax-deductible contribution to help keep ticket prices affordable for all and continue our policy of free admission for students and children, since they are the future of chamber music. See the side bar and click on the link on our “Home” page.
Single Concert Admission: Tickets available at the door, $20 each. Children are free, as are students and active-duty military personnel, with ID.

The Oklahoma American Cancer Society hosts the 16th annual Cattle Baron’s Ball at 6 p.m., Saturday, September 15 at the Historic Farmer’s Public Market, 311 S Klein Ave. in Oklahoma City.
The evening’s festivities include: dinner, drinks, games, dancing to bluegrass and western swing music from Kyle Dillingham & Horseshoe Road, and both a luxury live and silent auction. Single tickets are $250; table sponsorships are available for an eight-top at $2,000 and 10-top at $2,500.
Rachel Stratton, Development Manager of Distinguished Events for the American Cancer Society, says the Society asks central Oklahoma businesses to join other community leaders and executives in sponsoring a table in honor of a cancer warrior who works at or is close to their organization.
“Cancer is the second leading cause of death in our state, with 49 Oklahomans diagnosed every day. Nearly everyone knows someone directly affected by the disease, so let’s use this opportunity to lift them up and raise money to help find a cure,” said Stratton. “During the event, a special ceremony will be held to recognize all honorees.”
The Society funds research for a cure and also serves as a primary support resource for cancer patients. This includes operating a 24-hour hotline (1-800-227-2345), rides to and from treatment in the Road to Recovery program, as well as free or reduced-cost lodging, and help managing appearance-related side effects of treatment.
This year’s Cattle Baron’s Ball speaker, Talia Lane, was diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma in 2004. She has been in remission for 14 years. Lane credits the Society with helping her beat cancer and for giving her a platform to empower others battling the disease.
“The American Cancer Society has been the biggest support and volunteer group for me since finishing my treatment. The whole experience has allowed me to help raise money for the Society and bond with other cancer survivors. It is so great knowing that current and future cancer patients will have so much help and support through the Society,” said Lane.
To sponsor a table or purchase individual tickets, visit: cattlebaronsballokc.org or email: rachel.stratton@cancer.org. Also, between now and September 14, when you make a $25 donation to the American Cancer Society online, you will be entered in a drawing to win an OKC Staycation valued at $500. The winning donor will be drawn at the event, and announced on the Cattle Baron’s Ball Twitter and Facebook pages on Monday, September 17.

Date/ Day/ Location/ Time/ Registration #/ Instructor
Sep 6/ Thursday/ Okla. City/ 9 am – 3:30 pm/ 951-2277/ Varacchi Integris 3rd Age Life Center –
5100 N. Brookline, Suite 100
Sep 8/ Saturday/ Moore/ 9 am – 3:30 pm/ 799-3130/ Schaumburg
Brand Senior Center – 501 E. Main St.
Sep 11/ Tuesday/ Midwest City/ 9 am – 3:30 pm/ 691-4091/ Palinsky
Rose State Conventional Learning Center –
6191 Tinker Diagonal
Sep 14/ Friday/ Okla. City/ 9 am – 3:30 pm/ 951-2277/ Edwards
S.W. Medical Center – 4200 S. Douglas, Suite B-10
Sep 22/ Saturday/ Midwest City/ 9 am – 3:30 pm/ 473-9239/ Williams
First Christian Church – 11950 E. Reno Ave.
Sep 24/ Monday/ Shawnee/ 9:30 am – 3:45 pm/ 818-2916/ Brase
Shawnee Senior Center – 401 N. Bell St.
The prices for the classes are: $15 for AARP members and $20 for Non-AARP. Call John Palinsky, zone coordinator for the Oklahoma City area at 405-691-4091 or send mail to: johnpalinsky@sbcglobal.net

Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores has announced it will team up with United Way of Central Oklahoma and match any new and increased gifts from existing workplace campaigns and individual donors up to $200,000.
“Love’s is proud to partner once again with the United Way to make a positive impact in central Oklahoma,” said Jenny Love Meyer, vice president of communications for Love’s. “Our employees give generously every year to support United Way organizations making a measurable difference in our community. This year, we are challenging our neighbors to step up with us. Love’s will match dollar for dollar any new donation to the United Way made by individuals or local businesses up to $200,000.”
This gift comes at a time when the needs for health and human services continue to rise while resources remain limited. New dollars and the impact in the community will be doubled, allowing more central Oklahomans to benefit from the programs that United Way helps to fund at our 58 Partner Agencies.
“Love’s is a staple in our community because they give back so generously and truly care about people and the challenges they face,” said Debby Hampton, United Way of Central Oklahoma president and CEO. “With Love’s support, we’ll be able to touch more lives and make an even bigger impact in our community, and that’s what Love’s is known for – caring for those who need a hand-up.”
Donations may be made online at unitedwayokc.org or by giving through your workplace campaign.