San Antonio Rotary - The Wheel - Archive (Dec 9, 2009)


Volume #98	December 9, 2009	No. 24
	Featured Speaker:
	Donald Braswell Singer, songwriter, finalist on “America’s Got Talent” Chair of the Day: Rick Cavender

Donald Braswell has been on quite an amazing journey in the performing arts. Born and raised in a quietcountry town in south Texas, this fourth child of performing artist parents was already singing for public audiences at the age of seven. Throughout his teens, Donald became heavily involved in local theatre productions and sought to further his musical aspirations after high school.

Upon graduation from high school, upon graduating from Juilliard, Donald was selected as one of the winners of the Liederkranz Foundation Vocal Competition and also was awarded the Finalist Artist Grant from the Licia Albanese-Puccini Foundation International Vocal Competition. Donald was privileged to study under the great Franco Corelli.

Donald embarked upon a successful career as a premier operatic tenor. His first professional contract was for the role of Arturo in Bellini’s La Straniera with the Opera Orchestra of New York. As a represented artist of Columbia Artist Management and Herbert Barrett Management, Donald performed a wide body of work for audiences all over the world.

During a series of performances in 1995 with the Welsh National Opera, Donald was struck by a car while cycling through Wales. He suffered severe damage to the soft tissue in his throat and was told by doctors that he might not be able to sing or speak normally again. Donald was determined to beat the odds and spent the next few years working diligently to regain the normal use of his voice.

With a great deal of faith, determination, and hard work, Donald has been making his way back to the performance stage. For the past couple of years, he has performed at select events in the San Antonio area. He has also released his first album, New Chapter. It proves to be a gorgeous recording that combines elements of the musical theatre, pop radio, and operatic arrangements of timeless classical selections. Produced by the GRAMMY® Award-winning team of Michael and Ron Morales and co-produced by Mark Martin, New Chapter is sure to become a fan favorite for many years to come. The musical arrangements by Brian Duncan are incredibly lush and provide a mesmerizing listening experience.

It has been an amazing journey for Donald Braswell, but his journey is far from over. According to Donald, “It is God’s job to know when the end is, and He will surely let us know when that time comes. Until then, we are not serving Him or others if we give up. Keep going, no matter what the odds.”

Hope Jam Tickets Still Available

Country stars Travis Tritt and Lee Roy Parnell are teaming up for Hope Jam on Tuesday, December 8 at Cowboy’s Dance Hall. Proceeds benefit the Rotary Job Placement Center at Haven for Hope.

Individual tickets are $35 each and are available through Ticketmaster. Table sponsorships are still available. Call the Rotary office or visit our website (www.rotarysa.org) for complete details.

The event is being hosted by District 5840. Come out and show your support for our District and Haven for Hope.

Hope Jam

Tuesday, Dec 8

Doors open at 6:00 PM

Concert starts at 7:00 PM

Cowboy’s Dance Hall

3030 NE Loop 410 @ IH 35

Join us for the

Holiday Luncheon

Wednesday, December 16

11:00 for fellowship

12:00 for plated lunch

$30 for exempt members and guests

Free for those on the meal plan

All members who wish to attend must make a reservation.

Contact the Rotary office at 222-8242, x101 or assistant@rotarysa.org

Blue Santa Service Project

The Young Members Board is sponsoring a holiday service project to bring joy to the children of San Antonio. Until Dec 18, the club will be collecting new unwrapped toys for children ages 3 –12. The toys will be collected and donated to the SA Police Department’s Blue Santa program.

All you have to do is bring your unwrapped toy to the Rotary meeting on Dec 9 or 16. You can also drop them off at the Rotary office any day between 8:30 and 5:00. Don’t have time to shop? Blue Santa will gladly accept monetary donations to help provide holiday meals for the needy.

Everyone is feeling the pinch this year but help us make the holiday season a little brighter for a child.

Events at Other Area Clubs

The Mission Trail Rotary Club invites you to join them on their annual Mission to Mission Charity Bike Ride Tour. On Saturday, December 5, you can ride or walk the hike & bike trail along the San Antonio River through the historic Missions.

The ride benefits Mission Trail’s charities including Polio Plus. For more information or to register visit www.missiontrailrotary.com

Upcoming Rotary Events

Mark your calendars for Shadow Day on Wednesday, Feb 3, 2010. Diploma Plus students will “shadow” Rotarians and learn about real world situations. Volunteers are needed!

The student will follow you during your usual morning routine and then accompany you back to Rotary for lunch.

If you can donate your morning to one of our D+ students, contact the Rotary office at 222-8242, x101 or assistant@rotarysa.org

This year’s Business Expo will be Wednesday, May 19 at the Bright Shawl.

This year’s event promises to be bigger and better than ever! Showcase your company to San Antonio’s business and community leaders. Stay tuned for more details.

The Rotarian magazine

How much do you know about Rotary’s founder Paul Harris? Do you know he was an actor in Denver? Or that he packed raisins in Fresno? Read the illustrated story about Paul Harris in this month’s edition of the Rotarian.

Also read about childhood diabetes and what Rotary is doing in the world to fight it.

Have you signed up for Rotary’s International Convention? The next convention will be held in Montreal June 20-23, 2010.