BillLindau

Moore County Choral Society

Moore County Choral Society Conductor Anne Dorsey


Cynthia Williams Leach, left, talks with piano accompanist MariJo Brown.
Wine gala benefits time-honored choral group
Moore County Independent, Oct. 19, 2006
SPECIAL TO THE INDEPENDENT
Music lovers had themselves wined and dined for a noble cause this week. The Moore County Choral Society was scheduled to hold a wine gala Tuesday evening at the Fresh Market in Southern Pines, to raise funds for this group of about 104 performers.
"Fresh Market's been good enough to allow us to do that," said.Anne Dorsey, conductor of the Choral Society.
Approximately 40 to 50 wines were available for tasting and for sale, as the Moore County Choral Society entered its 32nd year. It is a local, non-profit organization which performs countywide. It also has concert scheduled this spring in Fayetteville and at Pinecrest High School, in collaboration with the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra.
The wine gala, the Choral Society's first ever, took place after deadline. Dorsey, a music instructor at Southern Middle School who has served as the conductor for the past five years, felt the event could not come at a better time. The annual Holiday Concert is about a month and a half away. Specifically, it is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 2-3, at Sandhills Community College, with performances at 8 and 4 p.m., respectively.
The M.C. Choral Society has an annual Classic Concert slated for April 29 and May 5, 2007. They will perform Orff's "Carmina Burana" with the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra for two days. On April 29 they go to Fayetteville State University. On May 5 the concert comes to Robert E. Lee Auditorium at Pinecrest High School.
The altos, sopranos, tenors and baritones could not be a more diverse group. They range from 16 to 80 years old. Their ranks include students, teachers, a music therapist, professionals of all sorts and retirees.
"We have everything from retirees to current music teachers," she said. "We have a music therapists. We have all walks of life."
While most of the singers live in Moore County, residency here is not a requirement; Nancy Neal, one of the members, lives in Hamlet. She has been a member for 27 years, she says. Dorsey says the main, specific requirements are a good voice and the ability to read sheet music. She says the MCCS does not have quotas for altos, sopranos, tenors and baritones. The sopranos seem to be in the majority, she adds.
Many members are involved in other performing arts programs. Eric Kopecky and Marcia Johnson played the leads in "The Music Man," the musical performed by the Sandhills Theatre Company in September. Another member, Juan Russ, sings with a barbershop group in Pinehurst. Cynthia Leach, a member for the past 25 years, also sings in a local pop band called "Movin' Through."
Johnson joined the chorus last year. A few have been with the chorus from its early years.
Billie Joyce Hill received a 30-year pin from the MCCS.
Mim Pierce, the Society's archivist, has been a member for 15 years, but she says that's only "half the age" of the time others have been members. She lived in State College, Pa., before coming to North Carolina.
Sheila Wakefield joined the MCCS in September 1979. "I love it," she said. "I haven't missed a year."
Charlie Cook joined the MCCS 20 years ago after moving here from Cleveland, Ohio. He has served on the MCCS's Board of Directors.
Dorsey hoped Tuesday's wine gala will provide the funds the Choral Society needs. This non-profit organization consists of all volunteers. Its support comes from silent auctions, individual sponsors and patrons. Singers pay a $35 annual membership. The Society rehearses Tuesday evenings at Brownson Memorial Presbyterian Church.
The group was rehearsing Christmas holiday songs last week. "Go Tell it on the Mountain," "Let There be Peace on Earth" and "We Need a Little Christmas" were among the songs performed. The rehearsal took place for two hours, with MariJo Brown providing piano accompaniment.
The Moore County Choral Society had its origins as a choral class taught by the late McKellar Israel at Sandhills Community College. In 1969, a group was formed from it called the Sandills Community Chorus. In 1975, the group gave its first concert as a non-student organization. The Sandhills Area Community Chorus performed Handel's "Messiah" on Dec. 7, 1975, under the direction of Julian Long. In May 1976, the group, now called the Moore County Choral Society, performed Haydn's Mass in D Minor, officer Barbara James said in a past newsletter.
"The first big production was 'The Mikado,' on May 13-16, 1977," James wrote.
"None of us will every forget Katherine Ewing as Katisha, an elderly lady in love with Nanki-Poo, as played by John Hatcher."
The Moore County Choral Society has done right by the Sandhills. In addition to its concerts, it offers a scholarship to a Sandhills Community College music major, said Frances Wilson, a music instructor at the college.
"I am grateful for the presence of this organization in our community," Wilson stated.
"The Moore County Choral Society promotes the art of choral music and generously supports music education through this scholarship."

posted by Bill Lindau @ 9:43 AM