News And Events
Message from the President
Welcome Message
Dear Members and Prospective members,
The dues are $45.00/Teachers, $75/Single, and $125/Couple per year. The fees are a small price to pay to support local and National philanthropies which are aimed at leveraging the ESU mission, both here and around the world. The ESU "Expands minds, Strengthens friendships, Unlocks opportunities – through the use of the English language." Where our youth is concerned,
"The English-Speaking Union believes every child should be able to make their voice heard. We believe that the ability to progress and to thrive in life relies on oracy – speaking and listening – skills, which are not currently a prominent part of the school curriculum. Our debate, public speaking and cultural exchange programs help young people to engage with the world, to speak more confidently and to listen to and understand different points of view. These skills improve young people's attainment, emotional intelligence, and social skills, helping them to live their lives to the fullest."
You can join or rejoin using the Membership Tab on the new website:
Or, mail a check made out to the English-Speaking Union and send it to: The English-Speaking Union of the United States, 144 East 39th Street, New York, NY 10016.
Why join?
Shakespeare Competition - Imagine that Charlottesville Branch helped launch a young man or woman from a Charlottesville area High School, the Branch winner of the Shakespeare Competition, into a competition with other winners from across the country, for a thrilling weekend in NYC, culminating in various collaborations with their peers on the stage of Lincoln Center. In addition to being a college resume enhancer, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place contest winners receive $600.00, $400.00, and $300.00 respectively. This past year ten schools held competitions. For all those members who attended the Competition at Blackfriars Theater in Staunton last February, seeing was believing. These young actors arrived at the theater with their coaches, parents, and friends. They were judged by three professional actors. It is so exciting and rewarding to see and her these young thespians recite Shakespearean Sonnets and Monologues. Hats off to the Branch Education Committee which orchestrates the competition in concert with the schools, the Blackfriars Playhouse, and the ESU National HQ in NYC.
Teachers Learning Abroad – Thanks to the largesse of Judy and Bob Smith, who gifted the Branch's Teachers Learning Abroad (TLAB) program, $100,000.00, the Branch is able to send two High School, English, History, or Drama teachers to study in the UK at Oxford, Edinburgh, or the Globe Theater every summer. Imagine what energy and new perspectives they will bring to their classrooms upon their return. Think of the other teachers/students they will meet and experience together from America and other countries. One of our recent winners, Craig Edgerton, from Fluvanna High School, who studied at Globe theater last summer, ran a workshop for teachers across the state at the Virginia Theater Debate Forensics Conference this past September. The Chairman of the University of Virginia English Department, Andrew Stauffer, who addressed the Branch about his new book on Lord George Byron in October, was himself, a recipient of an ESU TLAB Fellowship in 1993.
Expanding the footprint of the Branch – Thanks to an unrestricted additional gift from Judy and Bob Smith of $100,000.00, Branch Officers and Directors now have funds to help support/partner with programs/initiatives of organizations with similar missions.
Member Educational and Social Programs - Now also consider the variety of educational and cultural opportunities offered to our members this past year. In a nutshell, here is the 2024-2025 season.
October 8 – Black-Tie Preferred Kick-Off event at Farmington Country Club at 6:00. "In Byron's Footsteps" – Andrew Stauffer, Professor and Chair of the UVa. English Department, will share reflections on the origins and development of his new biography, Byron: A Life in Ten Letters.
November 10 – Greencroft Club, a luncheon at 1:00. "Have some Madeira, M'Dear?" In homage to fortified wines, from Port, to Sherry, and now, a journey, led by President Phil, into the history, production, and culture of Madeira.
December 8 - Time for another "Dickens" of a Christmas at The Glenmore House, hosted by Richard and Ginna Kelly Claus.
January 25 - A "Robert ("Rabbie") Burns" night at Glenmore – complete with the ritual procession of the haggis and Single Malt Scotch whiskey. Kilts, Period Costumes, and Formal Attire are encouraged. This event will be hosted by Glenmore Country Club. Our Branch will be a major sponsor.
February 1, 2025 – The Shakespeare Competition at Blackfriars Playhouse, the American Shakespear Center in Staunton, Va. at 10:00. For those who wish to remain for lunch, we will gather at a nearby restaurant.
March 1 (Saturday) – Come to the Crown Violet Theater for a private screening of the annual Mystery Movie. Only your President and VP will know what the movie is. Take your chances.
March 22 - Informal TLAB presentation by our three TLAB winners of their experiences, and take-aways, of studying in the UK.
April 23 - Dinner at the Greencroft Club with keynote speaker Eliot Cohen, a Professor of International Relations at the John's Hopkins School of International Relations, with a serious passion for Shakespeare, will discuss his new book, The Hollow Crown - Shakespeare on How Leaders, Rise, Rule, and Fall.
April (last week) - Regents School 5th-6th grade Shakespeare Night. The Charlottesville Branch is a Sponsor. It is free.
June 1 - The Annual Meeting and Garden Party, from 4:00 to 7:00. At the beautifully restored historic home of, Pamela and William Calary, Hollymead House. Come toast the King with President Phil's Pimm's No. 1 cup.
In Conclusion: We are a well-educated, well-traveled, merry band who support two very worthy philanthropies. Together we seek continuing education, shared bonhomie , while pursuing the educational mission of the English-Speaking Union.
Dr. Henry P. Williams III, Charlottesville ESU Branch President