Untitled
March 2017
Opus XXXIX, No. 3
The Hickory Choral Society is a funded affiliate of the United Arts Council of Catawba County
The march toward Spring moves ahead...but based on the past few weeks
we may be confused about when it actually begins! Yet, the Spring Concert of the
Hickory Choral Society is a known date - March 26, 2017. The concert is an all
British program based on composers from both the 20th and 21st centuries. That
theme may seem a little "stodgy", but the variety of the music is anything but
that. Special thanks to Corning Optical Communications for underwriting this concert.
The program opens with a new work by the most prolific choral composer
of the past forty years, John Rutter. This anthem is the fifth movement (The Gift of
Each Day) from a six-movement choral work entitled THE GIFT OF LIFE. The title
reflects what lies in the text: appreciating each day of our lives.
Will Todd is quickly becoming one of the most recognized British composers of the 21st century.
His works includes opera, musicals, oratorio, orchestral and choral works. The piece we are performing,
STAY WITH ME ,LORD, was commissioned by the Genesis Foundation and is a settings of one of Padre
Pio's Prayers after communion. The title reflects the nature of the music.
Based on the poetry of George Herbert, Ralph Vaughan Williams composed a rather unique extended work for a man of his beliefs. An avowed atheist, the FIVE MYSTICAL SONGS was one of his first
ventures into religious composition. He explained it as trying to use text in its most meaningful representation.
The final work of the concert will be only its second performance in the US. TE DEUM, commissioned by the Lancaster Chorale of Ohio, premiered in July 2011 with the Kontros Quartet serving as
principal strings. Of note, Patrick Hawes was commissioned to compose a work for HRH the Prince of
Wales on the celebration of his sixtieth birthday. This piece will be an exciting close the concert.
The Hickory Choral Society welcomes three of our own singers as soloists for the concert: Emily
Buckman, Soprano; Paul van Breemen, Tenor; and Danny Gouge , Baritone. Look for more information
about them on page 2. This is a concert of wonderful music in very different presentations.
— J. Don Coleman - Conductor
Spring Concert
Sunday, March 26
3 PM
First Baptist Church
339 2nd Avenue NW
Hickory
2017 Spring Concert Soloists
Emily Buckland is in her third year of teaching music at Hudson Elementary. She
graduated from Wingate University in 2014 with a Bachelors in Music Education. Emily
also works part time for the Humane Society of Catawba County, animals being her second passion in life. Any of her free time from work is spent at home with her own household of animals. This is her first year singing with the Hickory Choral Society.
Emily has lived in North Carolina for 17 years , having moved from New York where
the majority of her family still lives. She has an older brother and sister two years ahead of
her and two wonderful parents that have been to every one of her concerts. Emily hopes to
go back to school for her Masters in Administration to pursue a career as a principal. For
the time being, she is enjoying teaching music to her students and singing with the
Hickory Choral Society.
Danny Gouge joined Hickory Choral Society in the fall of 2014 and was immediately selected as a soloist for his inaugural concert with the group, performing “Modern
Major General” from Gilbert and Sullivan. This was not, however, his debut in the Hickory/Catawba County arts community. In the spring of 2014, Danny was invited to attend a
Master Class with Franc D’ Ambrosio. As a result, he was selected to sing a duet with
Mara Walker, “All I Ask of You” from Phantom of the Opera, during the encore of Franc’s
“Phantom Unmasked” concert with the Western Piedmont Symphony.
Danny currently serves as Music Director at Mt. Hebron Lutheran Church in
Hildebran and previously held that position at East Hickory Baptist Church. He studied
Sacred Music at Gardner-Webb University and also studied voice and sang in the Show
Choir at Catawba Valley Community College.
Danny’s career path outside of music has led him to public service. He serves as a
Firefighter for George Hildebran Fire/Rescue and has also served as a Paramedic for Burke County. He currently
works full time as a Paramedic for Caldwell County Emergency Services. Danny is married to Angela Gouge and
they have one daughter, Sarah.
Paul van Breemen majored in music education with emphasis in voice, and minored in German at
Western Oregon University. While at Western, he won his division in a National Association Teachers of Singing (NATS) competition in the Young Adult division.
He has directed church choirs while stationed in Germany and in Oregon. Paul
was guest choral director at Oregon State University’s drama department for the musical
“Starmites”. He has also performed on stage in The Merry Widow, Amal and the Night
Visitors, Brigadoon, and several plays. Paul was a member of Salem Master Chorus in
Salem, Oregon for several years and sang with the Mozart Society, in Winston-Salem,
NC. He joined Hickory Choral Society in 2013.
Paul served in the Army and the Army Reserves where he was deployed five times
in 10 years, always taking his guitar and leading the music in both Protestant and Catholic services to include an Easter Service in the desert of Iraq. He also is a songwriter,
which started on his last deployment.
He has two sons, Michael and Christopher, daughter Kate, and grandson Olly.
Paul’s partner in life is Julie Cline from Hickory.
Hickory Choral Society Auditions
Would you like to sing with us? Auditions are scheduled for Monday evenings, May 22 and
July 22, 2017. We have openings in Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Bass sections.
No special preparation is required. You will need to sight read music.
We provide the music & accompanist.
Call Bonita Ferretti in our office 828-322-2210 to schedule an audition time.
Page 2
Update on “RAISING THE ROOF” Capital Campaign
As noted in our last newsletter, the Hickory
Choral Society has launched the “Raising the Roof”
capital project to convert our current rehearsal room
into a rehearsal hall. After almost 40 years, it is definitely a much needed makeover!
We are excited to report that we have already
raised just over $320k for this project, through the
generous support of current and former singers, community individuals, area businesses, and foundation
grants. We have submitted additional grant requests
that, if approved, should bring our total contributions
to around $400k…so we are well on our way!
The total project, however, will require close to
$500k to complete. With ground-breaking planned
for early April, we need your help to put us over the
top and help make our plan to “raise the roof” a reality. If you have already given, we sincerely thank you
and ask you to consider increasing your gift if that is
possible. If you have not yet given, it’s not too late to
be part of this once in a lifetime opportunity that will
benefit our singers as well as our entire community
for decades to come.
You can be part of this exciting project today,
using the pledge card below or by calling the HCS office at 828-322-2210. Together, let’s “Raise the
Roof”!
Page 3
Hickory Choral Society
J. Don Coleman Endowment Grants
Every year since 1984, Hickory Choral Society has provided monetary assistance
through the J. Don Coleman Endowment Fund to enhance the music programs of schools in Catawba
County. We have expanded the range of the fund by adding Alexander, Burke and Caldwell county
schools to the list of recipients.
This year, it has been my pleasure as Past President to oversee this fund, making
grants to a total of 18 schools in the Unifour Area. Since funding to music departments over the past
years has been lessened due to economic cuts, this type of assistance has become more important
than ever. In addition to helping area school teachers reach their goals of providing quality music
programs for their students, the Choral Society is also showing its support and appreciation for the
dedication of these teachers. Another bonus, for both HCS and the community, is the fine young
choral musicians who are being nurtured in our schools.
Members of Hickory Choral Society have every right to be proud of our endeavors to
take an active role in educating local music students. These grants can be used for anything from
producing a school-wide musical to purchasing music scores for use in class. The support we offer
through the Endowment Fund is both priceless and unlimited.
The 2016 Endowment Grant Recipients are:
Ellendale Elementary School - Amy Sipe
Wittenburg Elementary School - Amy Sipe
Ray Childers Elementary School - Libby Teague
Gamewell Elementary - Mary Catherine Taylor
Hickory High School - Steven Clarke
Newton-Conover High School - Cammie Adams
St. Stephens Elementary School - June Robison
George Hildebrand Elementary - Dee Yoder
West Caldwell High - Bethany Wolfe
Baton Elementary - Emily Potter
New Dimensions Charter School - Alice Burnette
Valdese Elementary School - Brittany Schafer
H.M. Arndt Middle School - Lauren Shook
Lyle Creek Elementary School - Erin M. Roper
Dudley Shoals Elementary – Denise B. Prince
Newton-Conover Middle School - Marylynn Miles
Freedom High - Mara Walker
Davanport A+ Elementary - Dylan Youngsmith
Our congratulations go out to all of these educators and the children whose lives they
touch with the gift of music!
— Harry Andrews- HCS Past-President
Hickory Choral Society Children’s Choral Camp
When: Monday - Friday, June 26-30 2017; 8:50 AM - Noon
Where: SALT Block
Ages: Rising 4th - 6th graders interested in choral music
Description: A one week, half-day (8:50 AM - Noon) summer choral camp for rising 4th 6th grade students to gain basic choral fundamentals through vocal classes. There will
be a parent/family/friend observation time on Friday.
Price: $30.00
Please contact Bonita Ferretti in the HCS office at [email protected]
or 828-322-2210 for more information.
Page 4
2016 J. Don Coleman Endowment Grant Recipients
Left to right front row: Brittany Schafer, Emily Potter
Second row: Alice Burnette, Amy Sipe, Lauren Shook, Marylynn Miles
UPCOMING EVENTS
UPCOMING CONCERTS
Auditions for the
Hickory Choral Society will be held on
Monday evening, May 22 and
Monday evening, July 17
Please contact Bonita Ferretti at the
Hickory Choral Society office
(828-322-2210) for an appointment.
Spring Concert
Sunday, March 26, 3:00 PM
First Baptist Church
Children’s Choral Camp
June 26-30, 2017
Hickory Choral Society Retreat
August 18-19, 2017
Laurel Ridge Conference Center
Hickory Choral Society
Concert Under the Sails - Union Square
Downtown Hickory
Sunday, May 21, 2017 5 PM
Fall Concert
Sunday, October 15, 2017 -Note New Date
First Baptist Church
Christmas Concerts
December 1, 2, 3, 2017
Corinth Reformed Church
Page 5
Hickory Choral Society Auxiliary
The Hickory Choral Society has always been able to attribute much of its success to the tremendous level of volunteerism and support found in the surrounding area. The Hickory Choral Society Auxiliary, better known as the “Grace Notes,” was created to give non-singing volunteers an official
opportunity to be an integral part of our gift to the community. Grace Notes membership is composed primarily of former singers, spouses, adult children of current singers, and persons from the
greater arts community who exhibit a love for choral music. Assistance comes in a variety of forms
including ushering; assisting patrons and contributors at the information table during concerts; helping the Hickory Choral Society office manager with mailings and other office duties; and planning for
various Hickory Choral Society events. Grace Notes members are able to help in any way that makes
the Hickory Choral Society effective in bringing excellent choral music to the Unifour.
The Hickory Choral Society is extremely grateful for the efforts of all of its Grace Notes members – present and past. Please consider giving the gift of your time and special talents to the Hickory Choral Society. By becoming an auxiliary member of the Hickory Choral Society Auxiliary, you can
make a significant difference in helping our organization reach its full potential. Anyone interested in
becoming an auxiliary member, should contact the Hickory Choral Society office at (828) 322-2210
or [email protected].
2016-17 Grace Notes Members
Byrd Cornwell, Rusty Isenhour, Bill Karslake, Leon and Elinor Lewis, David Ludwig,
Mary Anne and Bill Milholland, Nellie Pruitt, Ellen Robbins, Mickey Shuford, Becky Simpson
Amy Sipe, Carol Stephan, Loretta Stephenson, Mary Ann Troutman, Denise Volz, Beth Whicker
Page 6
Hickory Choral Society Concert Under the Sails
Come join Hickory Choral Society in downtown Hickory Under The Sails on Sunday, May 21st at
5:00. We'll be "Takin' Care of Business" while you dance to the "Music of the 70's!" Bring your best girl
because "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!"
We have had wonderful audiences the past two years! and appreciate the support of our
community as we get together with picnics and memories from a great era! Bring your dancing shoes
and disco duds!!!!
The Perfect Gift - Your Favorite HCS Concert on CD
We have many of your favorite Hickory Choral Society performances available on CD for
purchase at our office. Prices start at $16.00. What a wonderful gift for a special occasion—the gift of
music from the Hickory Choral Society! If you are looking for that certain concert recording,
give Bonita Ferretti a call at 828-322-2210. Many of our CD’s are also available for purchase in the
Hickory Museum of Art Gift Shop.
Hickory Choral Society 2017 Children’s Summer Camp
Hickory Choral Society Children's Camp is coming: June 26 - June 30, 2017
Believe it or not, this is the fourth year of our Children's Summer Choral Camp. If you know of a
rising 4-6 grader who loves to sing- we want them. To receive an application, interested campers
should call Bonita at the HCS office (828-322-2210) or speak with their elementary music teacher Tuition is $30 for the week. Register your singer soon.....camp fills up quickly!
HCS was a recipient of funds from the Mary Duke Biddle Foundation Grant. This generous grant
has allowed us to bring in Tom Shelton, Assistant Professor of Sacred Music at Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey, to be our clinician this year. We are thrilled to have such a respected
conductor and composer on our camp staff.
A typical day at camp, which runs 8:50 - 12:00, will find singers rehearsing for two hours followed by a snack break and guided exploration of our other SALT Block affiliates, Hickory Museum of
Art and the Catawba Science Center. Percussionist Rick Cline will conduct a drumming class.
Camp times are 8:50-12:00. We are looking forward to another great camp!
Page 7
Board of Directors
Contributions to the J. Don Coleman Endowment Fund
In memory of
Jack Davis and Jeanne N. Riccioni
given by Ray & Judy Thomas
Merinda Grant
Don Mott
Debra Short
Members-at-Large
In Honor of
Joe & Susan Geck, Don & Toni Coleman, and Rick & Theresa Foster
given by Bobby & Brenda Bush
Contributions to the J. Don Coleman Endowment Fund
In Honor of
Honor
Mr. & Mrs. Don Coleman, Mr.&In
Mrs.
Ericof
Smith, Mr. & Mrs. Jason Earles,
Joe Underdown,
& Susan Geck,
Don
and Rick &Mr.&
Theresa
Mr. P.C.
III,
Mr.&&Toni
Mrs.Coleman,
David Underdown,
Mrs.Foster
Steven C.
Underdown, Mr. & Mrs.
Joeby
Geck,
Mr.&
& Brenda
Mrs. KimBush
Mansfield, Mr. & Mrs. Migiven
Bobby
chael Simmons, Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Kelleher, Mr. & Mrs. Robert Simmons, and
In Underdown
Honor of and
Mr. Scott
InMrs.
Memory
Mr. & Mrs. Don Coleman, Mr.&
Eric of
Smith, Mr. & Mrs. Jason Earles,
Mr. P.C. Underdown,
Mrs.(Neil)
David
Underdown,Jr.Mr.& Mrs. Steven C.
Mr.III,
& Mr.
Mrs.&P.C.
Underdown,
Underdown, Mr. & Mrs. Joe given
Geck,by
Mr.
& Mrs.
Kim Mansfield, Mr. & Mrs. MiJane
Bush
chael Simmons, Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Kelleher, Mr. & Mrs. Robert Simmons, and
Mr.
Scott Underdown
and
In
Memory
of Edwin Schell
In Memory
Mr.of& Mrs. J. Don Coleman, Mr.
given by Mr. & Mrs. Ken Burleson,
& Mrs. T. Wayne Mr.
Eddins,
Freiman,
Mr.Jr.
& Mrs. Rusty Isen& Mrs.Barbara
P.C. (Neil)
Underdown,
given
by Jane
BushNichols, Mr. & Mrs. Ty
hour, Mr. & Mrs. Robert
Nase,
Mr. Joel
Poston, Mr. Michael Schell, and Valdese Weavers
In Memory of Edwin Schell
given by Mr. & In
Mrs.
Ken Burleson,
Mr.Barbara
& Mrs.Clark
J. Don
Memory
of Judy Pierce,
andColeman, Mr.
& Mrs. T. Wayne
Eddins,
Barbara
Freiman,
Mr. &Jr.Mrs. Rusty IsenMr.
and Mrs.
P. C. (Neil)
Underdown,
by Don
&Mr.
ToniJoel
Coleman
hour, Mr. & Mrs.given
Robert
Nase,
Nichols, Mr. & Mrs. Ty
Poston, Mr. Michael Schell, and Valdese Weavers
In memory of
Jack Davis
andPierce,
JeanneBarbara
N. Riccioni
In Memory
of Judy
Clark and
Mr. and
Mrs.
P. C. &
(Neil)
Underdown,
given
by Ray
Judy
Thomas Jr.
given by Don & Toni Coleman
Merinda
Grant
Eddie
Compton
Don Properties
Mott
Business
Debra Short
Members-at-Large
Harry Andrews
Past President
J. Don Coleman
Conductor
Board of Directors
Celia Sexton
Tammy Shook
Associate Conductors
J. Don Coleman
Sharon
Milligan
Conductor
President
Celia Sexton
Thomas
Griffis
Tammy Shook
Vice-President
Associate
Conductors
KathyMilligan
Mott
Sharon
Secretary
President
Roger
Bowman
Thomas
Griffis
Treasurer
Vice-President
Lu Kathy
LittonMott
Griffin
Publicity
Secretary
Eddie
Roger Compton
Bowman
Business
Properties
Treasurer
Website:
Harry
Andrews
Lu
Litton
Griffin
Past
President
Publicity
www.hickorychoralsociety.org
[email protected]
E-mail Address
www.hickorychoralsociety.org
Website:
Office Manager:
Bonita Ferretti
Monday, Wednesday, Friday:
[email protected]
10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
OfficeAddress
Hours:
E-mail
Suite 2-N
Monday, Wednesday, Friday:
Hickory, NC 28601
10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Telephone:
828-322-2210
Office Manager:
Bonita Ferretti
Telephone:
828-322-2210
Mailing Address:
rd
243
3 Avenue
Office
Hours:NE
243 3rd Avenue NE
Suite 2-N
Hickory, NC 28601
Mailing Address:
Return Services Requested
Sunday, March 26, 2017
Return
3:00 PM—First Baptist Church
339 2nd Avenue NW
Hickory, NC
Sunday, March 26, 2017
3:00 PM—First Baptist Church
339 2nd Avenue NW
Hickory, NC
HCS Spring Concert
Non-Profit Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
Services
Requested
Hickory, NC 28601
Permit No. 176
Non-Profit Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
Hickory, NC 28601
Permit No. 176
HCS Spring Concert