Sarah Burnell (with some of the band) Fiddler, Vocalist and Fun Person!
	Sarah’s Roasted Pears 4 ripe Bosc or Anjou pears (1 pear per guest) 2 tablespoons butter 4 tablespoons brown sugar 2 tablespoons maple syrup 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract 1/3 cup brandy Preheat oven to 350 F. Halve and peel pears, carefully removing the seeds and core. Melt the butter in a large cast-iron skillet. Arrange the pears in the skillet, cut side down. Sprinkle brown sugar over the pears and cook, tilting the skillet back and forth, until it becomes a golden caramel. Add the vanilla and maple syrup to the skillet. Reduce the heat and add the brandy. At this point, you may or may not choose to flambé the pears. Flambéing will lend a slightly different taste to the pears, but they will taste great no matter what! Carefully turn the pears over and cook them for about 45 seconds to a minute. It is important that they not become mushy! Transfer the pears to a baking dish, with a small amount of brandy and butter in the bottom. Roast the pears for approximately 10-15 minutes, or until they are fork tender. Drizzle the jus from the baking dish over the pears. Serve with slices of medium-strong cheese.

Happy Holidays!

I hope that this letter finds everyone in good health and spirits. It has been a busy but fun fall season for the band, with many excellent performances. We’ve also been hard at work on the repertoire for the new CD, due out on June 6th, 2008. Everyone’s really pumped for this CD as the January recording dates draw nearer!

We’ve had a new addition to the band this fall! Guitarist Neil McDaniel has joined the group, adding his wonderful sound to our mix. We are so pleased to have Neil with us, and his first official performance as part of the group, at the NAC Fourth Stage in November, was spectacular! For more information on Neil, check out his bio on the band page. Paul will continue to perform with us, but his own performing and recording engagements sometimes make for very tight scheduling! We are very lucky to have two amazing guitarists as part of the group!

Our wonderful cellist, Greg, has also had an exciting first semester as a Performance major in the Schulich School of Music of McGill University. It has been really great being fellow students once again (we both attended Canterbury High School)!

On a more personal note, this fall has been an exciting one for me, as I’ve entered my second year in the Music Education program at McGill University. It has been a very full first semester, highlights of which were my World Percussion class and my continued involvement in the McGill Baroque Orchestra. I’ve also been very busy with the La Ceilagh Chamber Singers, with whom I sing second soprano. Out first fundraiser of this season, “A Spark of Song”, takes place on December 8th, so I’m getting ready for that!

I’m really looking forward to spending some time with family and friends over the Christmas break, and I hope that you all enjoy some time for your loved ones as well. On behalf of the entire band, I wish everyone the best for the holiday season, and hope to find you all safe (and full of turkey) in January!

Hugs,
Sarah

Click here to check out info on Sarah's Fiddle.