The Catawba Singers and faculty soloists, directed by Paul E. Oakley, associate professor for the Catawba College Music Department, performed recently at New York’s Carnegie Hall, accompanied by the New York City Chamber Orchestra.
The Catawba Singers opened the Carnegie Hall concert on Sunday, March 8 with a solo performance of several pieces to celebrate the appointment of Dr. W. Craig Turner as the new president and Dr. Richard “Rick” Stephens Jr. as the new provost at Catawba. The musical selections ranged from 17th century to contemporary music, including a much-acclaimed performance of the spiritual “Battle of Jericho.”
The Catawba Singers joined with four other choirs from New Jersey, California (two choirs) and Connecticut for the March 8 performance which included selections from the Mendelssohn oratorio “Elijah.” They were conducted by Oakley.
Members of Salisbury-Rowan community will have their own chance to experience these same musical selections performed in Catawba’s Omwake-Dearborn Chapel at 7 p.m. on Sunday, March 29. Local community members, however, will have an advantage over the New York audience members who paid $80 per ticket to attend the March 8 performance in the Big Apple; the local performance is free of charge.
Community members who attend will hear the Catawba Singers and the Catawba Madrigals sing a variety of music.
The Catawba Chorale will be joined by Catawba’s faculty voice quartet, including Christina Pier, soprano; Professor Scott MacLeod, baritone; Professor Martha Bartz, mezzo-soprano; and Professor Daniel Stein, tenor for selections from “Elijah.” This year marks the celebration of Mendelssohn’s 200th birthday with special conferences and tribute concerts being performed all over the world.
Dr. Robert Hallquist will be pianist for the March 29 concert. Adam Ward will serve as organist and Dr. Barry Sang, a Catawba College professor of religion, will be the featured soloist on French horn.
For more information, contact the Catawba College Music Department at 704-637-4345.
Piedmont Players
Piedmont Players Theatre announces auditions for “Crowns,” a celebratory musical play in which hats become a springboard for an exploration of black history and identity.
Some rap but mostly gospel music and dance underscore and support the narratives. The cast calls for one African-American man and six African-American women.
Auditions will be held 7 p.m. March 30-31 on the third floor of the Meroney Theater, 213 S. Main St. Come prepared to sing a song and read from a script that will be provided at auditions.
Rehearsals will generally run Monday through Friday, 7-10 p.m. Performance dates are May 14-23 .
For more information, call 704-633-5471.
Sculpture show
The Salisbury Sculpture Show opens April 1 as the Salisbury Public Art Committee presents 14 sculptures in Downtown Salisbury for “Discover What’s Outside,” which will run from April 1 through Dec. 31.
The sculptures represent the work of 13 different artists from across the state and beyond. The pieces, which were carefully selected from an open application process, represent a wide range of sculptural styles and materials.
Specific installation locations within the downtown were chosen to best compliment each piece. Tour brochures for the sites will be available at the Visitors Center, and a number of events are planned around the sculpture exhibit during the nine month display period.
For more information, contact Lynn Raker at 704-638-5235 or visit www.salisburysculpture.com.
LST auditions
Lee Street Theatre will be holding auditions 7 p.m. April 1-2 for a reader’s theater production of “Hedda Gabler” at the Looking Glass Artist Collective, 405 N. Lee St. The production will be directed by Jim Epperson.
The play consists of seven characters, four females and three males. The female roles are for actresses 20 to 60 years of age, and the male roles are for ages 20 to 40 years.
Hedda Gabler, which is currently running on Broadway, will be performed April 23-25 at LGAC.
For more information, contact Lee Street Theatre at leestreettheatre@live.com.
YMCA trip
On Friday, April 3, a group will depart by bus at 4 p.m. from the J.F. Hurley Family YMCA to attend the Fort Mill Dinner Theatre production of “Fishes and Loaves.”
The cost of the trip is $55, which includes ticket, transportation and and dinner.
Seating is limited. Call to reserve a spot: 704-636-0111.
Call for poets
April is both National Poetry Month and Jazz Appreciation Month, and to celebrate, the Rowan Blues and Jazz Society presents Jazz and Poetry Slam April 17 at the Looking Glass Artist Collective Black Box Theater, 405 N. Lee St. in Downtown Salisbury.
Featured performer for the event will be jazz trumpeter Joe Robinson.
The Poetry Slam competition is by invitation only, screening is required. The deadline to apply is April 10, and there is an entry fee of $10.
Poets must be 16 or older. Contestants have three minutes, with 10 seconds to make transitions between poetic art. All poetry must be original. There will be no props, costumes, or music during the spoken word.
The best competitor will win a cash gift.
Admission to the April 17 event is by donation of $10.
For more details, call 704-636-2811 or go to www.rowanbluesandjazz.org.
Mint Museum changes
CHARLOTTE ó The Mint Museum has announced changes to its admission fees, increasing general admission and discounted fees, while retaining free admission for school groups visiting during school hours and children ages 4 and younger, and free visiting hours on Tuesdays.
The new admission pricing structure is: adults $10 (previously $6); senior citizens and college students with I.D. $8 (previously $5); children and youth ages 5-17, $5 (previously $3). This is the first admission fee increase in 10 years. Admission is valid for both museum locations if used within two days. Museum admission is always free for visitors coming exclusively to shop at The Mint Museum Shops.
Every Tuesday, the Mint Museum of Craft + Design is free to all visitors from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the Mint Museum of Art is free from 5 to 9 p.m. Mint Museum members are always admitted free.
Effective July 1, The Mint Museum will be closed on Sundays and will change its membership pricing structure. The new membership rates are: Individual membership: $60 ó includes benefits for one adult with the option to purchase a Jr. Mint Kids Club membership for an additional $20.
Couple/Dual membership: $80 ó includes benefits for two adults residing at the same address.
Family membership: $100 óincludes benefits for two adults and a Jr. Mint Kids Club membership for children or grandchildren under 18.
The Jr. Mint Kids Club membership is a new addition to the Mint member benefits package and includes unlimited admission to both Museums, including the Family Gallery in the new Center City Mint Museum opening October 2010; priority registration and discounts on summer camps and education programs; birthday gifts; guest passes for friends or babysitters; entry into the annual Children’s Holiday Art Contest; and an invitation to the annual Children’s Holiday Party.Students, teachers, senior citizens (65+) and people who live 90 or more miles from Charlotte are eligible for a $15 discount on the above memberships. For more information, visit www.mintmuseum.org.
Broadway Revue at East
East Rowan High School’s 2009 Broadway Revue, “Dance Evolution” will be held Friday, April 3 and Saturday, April 4 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 5 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are still available. Regular tickets are $7 and patron tickets are $15. A chicken and dumplings patron dinner will be held both nights and a lunch before the Sunday matinee. Call Teresa Rufty at 704-433-2582 for ticket information.