How martial arts benefits police tactics
THINGS-TO-DO

A rare performance

Brandy Beard bbeard@gastongazette.com
Kenney Potter directs the Charlotte Master Chorale in a performance of Brahm's "Requiem." The chorale will perform "Messiah" on Sunday, Dec. 9. [PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHN COSMAS]

UPDATE: Due to the threat of inclement weather, the Gastonia performance will now be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8 at First United Methodist Church of Gastonia, 190 E. Franklin Blvd. Because of time constraints, the performance will now be an abridged version. Stay up-to-date by visiting the Charlotte Master Chorale on Facebook, or online at charlottemasterchorale.org.

The renown Charlotte Master Chorale is coming to Gaston County for a rare performance of Handel’s “Messiah” in an event organizers hope become an annual tradition.

The chorale, along with the North Carolina Baroque Orchestra and soloists Awet Andemicael (soprano), Timothy Parsons (countertenor), David Vanderwal (tenor) and Jesse Blumberg (bass), will present the entire “Messiah” at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9. The concert takes place at First Baptist Church of Gastonia, 2650 Union Road.

“I think there are plenty of people in Gastonia in my experience -- and I’m going to speak from the heart here as someone who has worked his whole adult life in Gaston County -- there is much appreciation for great music,” said Kenney Potter, artistic director and conductor of the Charlotte Master Chorale. “I’ve witnessed that firsthand.”

About the conductor

Potter is a native to the area, having grown up in Kings Mountain. From an early age he sang in choirs at school and church. In high school he realized he was called to work with music professionally.

“I think there were several experiences that I had growing up that led me to wanting to share those experiences with other people and those experiences were musical,” he said. “I wanted not to experience them over and over again as a professional, but I wanted other people to experience them as well.”

He traveled the country for an education, earning degrees from Florida State University, Portland State University, and finishing with a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in choral conducting from UNC Greensboro.

His talent has been recognized worldwide. His choir participated in the Pärnu International Choral Festival in Estonia and earned the Grand Prix title for best choir. He’s been sought out as a clinician to conduct festival choirs in Kenya and South Africa, and statewide choirs throughout the South East.

As a composer, he’s been published under Hinshaw Music, Choristers Guild and Santa Barbara Music Publishing.

He and Wits Choir of Johannesburg Conductor Dalene Hoogenhout co-authored the Folk Songs of South Africa series, published in Wingate University Music Press, which Potter founded and is the editor of.

Despite his travels, Potter still remained within the Metrolina area. For many years, he taught throughout Gaston County middle and high schools. He and his wife, Heather, were active at First Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Gastonia, where she was the director of music and he was the choir director for about 16 years.

They live in Charlotte and have now taken musical positions at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Charlotte. During the day, he's the director of choral activities at Wingate University.

“We think there is a lot of a lot that can happen here artistically and professionally, but also from just a life perspective. This is our home,” said Potter.

Bringing ‘Messiah’ to Gastonia

Jim Poag first met Potter when he joined First ARP about 11 or so years ago. Poag sang in the choir and is the church’s solo trumpeter. He’s played with the church and in The Stardusters Big Band for events throughout the county.

Potter approached Poag about bringing Messiah to Gastonia, and Poag was immediately on board.

“It hasn’t been done in Gaston County that I can ever remember with a chorus this big and an orchestra this big and the type of orchestra in particular, this is very unique,” said Poag.

The Baroque Orchestra uses instruments from the 18th century or built to replicate what they would have looked or sounded like. These are the instruments ‘Messiah’ would have been used during the time of its original performance.

“It’s a different sound and style of performing than with modern instruments. What we hope is that the listeners, especially the ones used to hearing ‘Messiah,’ are going to hear it in a fresh way,” said Potter.

Community support

Concert organizers have received plenty of support for the event thus far. Interest has been expressed from individuals wanting to attend the concert, and there have been financial contributions.

"We've worked hard to get support and get as many people in community to experience the glorious sound and story it tells," said Poag.

Financial support has come in through a multitude of individual donors and foundations, including The Howe Foundation, The Stowe Foundation, Inc., The Carstarphen Family, Harry and Ruby Bryant, and Bet and Tete Pearson. One donation made will cover the cost of 100 seats, to be given to deserving high school choral students in Gaston County.

Local high school choral teachers will also be in attendance, with Phil Biedenbender of Ashbrook, Erin Schwarz of North Gaston, AJ Calpo of Bessemer City, Peter Haley of East Gaston, and Dan Wynkoop of South Mecklenburg (although he is a Gaston County resident and First Baptist Church of Gastonia’s music director) all being active members of the group. Several other Gaston County members sing with the Charlotte Master Chorale as well.

Donations have also allowed the cost of tickets to go from $35 for adults to $25.

What is ‘Messiah?’

Composed by George Frideric Handel, ‘Messiah’ was first performed in Ireland in 1742. It’s written in three parts with 53 movements. Performed in full, it takes about two hours.

Many are familiar with at least the “Hallelujah Chorus,” the work’s most well-known section. Because of the composition’s length, most choose just to perform the “Hallelujah Chorus” or other snippets of the piece.

“Musically, it’s one thing when we talk about Handel writing this. The real part of it, the most important part, is the story. It’s the story of the Messiah in music. It’s the story of Jesus, his birth, his death and the resurrection,” said Poag. “As a Christian, what a beautiful way to start the Christmas season than to start it with music.”

Tickets to the Charlotte Master Chorale’s presentation of ‘Messiah’ are $25 for adults and $15 for students at the door with a valid student ID. Tickets for groups of 10 or more are $20, and should call 704-372-1000. For more information, visit charlottemasterchorale.org.

Reach reporter Brandy Beard at bbeard@gastongazette.com.

Local vocalists performing in "Messiah"

Sarah L. Fink

Sarah Towner

Erynn Malessia Chambers

Kathryne Lavender

Philip Biedenbender

Erin Schwarz

AJ Calpo

Peter Haley

Dan Wynkoop