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I have to admit to being highly prejudiced about the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra, having served on its board for nearly a decade, and I must confess a love for classical music. We are most fortunate to have such an orchestra right here. So I’m sharing some news about the composition competition as it comes to a close.

Classical music lovers in this area who have been following the Charter 300 Composer Competition with the ASO have only to wait until the end of May to learn who won. The final selection process is underway with four impressive judges joining Music Director Jose-Luis Novo in this decision.

The world-class panel members are Marin Alsop, music director of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra; Gerard Schwarz, music director of the Seattle Symphony Orchestra and Eastern Music Festival; Bright Sheng, composer; and Joshua Kosman, music critic of the San Francisco Chronicle. The final judging also includes a vote from the ASO musicians and a vote from ASO audiences. The latter votes will be awarded from survey scores that were collected from players and attendees at the premieres of each work throughout the just completed 47th season.

The competition began in the fall of 2006 as part of the City of Annapolis' international celebration of the city charter's 300th anniversary in 2008. Funded by a grant from the City of Annapolis' Art In Public Places Commission, the competition resulted in the commissioning and world premieres of four new symphonic works. The project will end in a professional, commemorative Annapolis Charter 300 recording by the ASO.

Planned for November 7-8 this fall, the recording will be captured live from the Lexus Classic Series performances, “Three Symphonic Centuries.” The winning work will be included along with works marking each century of the charter's 300-year history – Corelli’s Concerto Grosso, Op. 6 No. 9 (1708), Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 in C minor (1808), and Ravel’s Rapsodie Espagnole (1908).

Finally I got to read my May issue of Southern Living, and paged through the Mid-Atlantic news section – and found Chick & Ruth’s Delly featured in the “People and Places: Local Flavor” section. You’ll find a photograph of Ted Levitt, owner and magician, and the article also mentions his wife Beth and their grown-up children Lauren and Scott.