Chamber Singers close St. John’s 2008 concert series Sept. 7

The summer concert series at historic St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, Valle Crucis, concludes on Sunday, Sept. 7 at 5 p.m. with a concert by another of North Carolina’s special musical treasures, the Asheville-area Southern Appalachian Chamber Singers.

Back by popular demand, they return to the High Country with their shape-note singing and folk harmonies.

The Chamber Singers were founded in 1998 by conductor Joel F. Reed who has held state, division and national offices in the American Choral Directors Association. The 28 singers hold positions as college music faculty, public and private school teachers and administrators, church musicians, physicians and business people in the Carolinas, Virginia and Tennessee.

Traveling from across the region for rehearsals, the ensemble performs regularly for college events, as well as maintaining a busy off-campus concert series. They have made repeat performances at the North Carolina Choral Directors Association Conference and appeared for five consecutive seasons at the Piccolo Spoleto Festival in Charleston, S.C. This past December, they performed at the Biltmore House and Carl Sandburg Home in Asheville.

Singers are accompanied by Cathy Adkins, assistant professor and organist at Mars Hill College. Adkins also serves as music director for the Southern Appalachian Repertory Theatre (SART) in Mars Hill and as organist at Grace Episcopal Church, Asheville.

This choral program is designed around the theme of an early American folk hymn, God is Seen. Music and texts of each segment of the concert reflect ideas set forth from this opening piece. Included are several standard choral pieces, the Kyrie and Gloria from a Mass by Marc Antoine Charpentier, pieces by Palestrina, Britten and other well-known composers. Several selections will be original settings in shape notes of early American folk hymns. Popular arrangements of hymns from this tradition are also included. All pieces will be woven into the thematic idea, God is Seen, as above.

Jacquelyn Bartlett, Boone resident, performer and professor of harp at Appalachian State, UNC-Greensboro and N.C. School of the Arts, helped inaugurate “Music at St. John’s” in 2007 and continues to serve as artistic director of the successful series.

Bartlett, who has directed numerous concert series in North Carolina and throughout the country, said, “Music at St. John’s is the newest and freshest idea in Chamber Music for the High Country. Historic St. John’s Church (consecrated 1862) is an all wood, rectangular shaped, high ceiling church, which acts as a beautiful sounding box. The setting provides some of the best acoustics in the area. Our first three concerts were attended almost to capacity and the intimate, informal venue with interaction between performers and audience delighted young and old alike. This final concert of the season should be just as thrilling.”

St. John’s Church is located in Valle Crucis, off Mast Gap Road. Directional signs will mark the way to the concert. Seating is limited and all are encouraged to arrive early. When the church is full this concert may be enjoyed comfortably from the church lawn, so guests may wish to bring lawn chairs or blankets in the event of an overflow crowd.

The Music at St. John’s events are “family friendly” with opportunities for members of the audience to meet and interact with artists. Adults may attend for a minimum donation of $10; children under 12 years may attend free of charge. Proceeds and additional donations help underwrite the continuing summer series. Organizers encourage attendees to consider bringing a picnic to enjoy on the church grounds following the concert, though pets are not allowed on the property during these events.

For more information about the Music at St. John’s summer concerts, email holy_cross@skybest.com or call (828) 963-4609.

Directions

From Linville:

Take 105 North 12.3 miles to stoplight at Watauga River Bridge. Turn left onto Broadstone Road (SR1112). Go 4.2 miles to intersection of 194 and Mast Gap Road. Turn left onto Mast Gap Road.  Go .4 miles and turn left on Herb Thomas Road. Go 1.5 miles to St. John’s Church on the right.

From Boone:

Take Hwy 105 South from 105/321 intersection in Boone. Go 4.8 miles to stoplight at Watauga River Bridge. Turn right onto Broadstone Road (SR 1112) and go 4.2 miles to intersection of 194 and Mast Gap Road. Turn left onto Mast Gap Road and go .4 miles to Herb Thomas Road. Turn left onto Herb Thomas Road and go 1.5 miles to St. John’s Church.

From Mast General Store in Valle Crucis:

Go 1.3 miles on Hwy 194. From Mast General Store to Mast Gap Road on left. Turn left and go .4 mile to Herb Thomas Road on left. Turn left and go 1.5 miles to St. John’s Church on the right