The concerts are at the Falany Performing Arts Center at Reinhardt University and combine the songs of two popular crooners.
“Bennett and Ol’ Blue Eyes: The Great Hits of Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra” will be performed by the Chorale under the direction of Wes Stoner and will feature popular songs such as “I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” “Fly Me To The Moon,” “Theme from New York, New York,” “My Way” and other famous hits.
The performances are tonight at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m.
Stoner is the choral director at Hillgrove High School in the Cobb County School District, where he teaches and conducts the Chamber Choir, the Select Women’s Ensemble and the Crimson Chorus.
The former Cherokee High School drum major and all-state chorus member went on to get a bachelor’s in music education from the University of Georgia and a master’s in Chorale Conducting from Michigan State University.
Stoner conducted the Chorale’s Pop Concert last year, and says it is always a treat to be back in his home community.
“It is rewarding to see, as a product of the Cherokee County Schools and as someone who grew up in arts and arts education that the arts are alive and growing here,” Stoner said Friday. “It is so hard to see cuts in the arts and this has been great that the Chorale can offer this for the community, to spotlight arts.”
Stoner, who was a standout in several musicals during his high school days, said it is also great to conduct a chorus with some of his old teachers, including Joan McFather who directed him in some Cherokee High productions.
“To see some of the teachers I had now in the group singing, that is really special,” Stoner said.
Stoner said the Chorale offers a great opportunity for local residents who have talent and love to sing.
“What I think is one of the great things about the Chorale, that people who love singing, have a good voice and they are willing to come in and work, it offers a great environment and nurturing for those who love to do it,” Stoner said.
Before Hillgrove, Stoner held positions teaching choral music and music theory at Kennesaw Mountain High School, Lovejoy High School, and the Fine Arts Magnet at Mt. Zion High School, where he jointly served as the Lead Teacher of Choral Music for the Clayton County Public Schools.
He also sings with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus, the ASO Chamber Chorus, and Coro Vocati, a new professional chamber choral ensemble in Atlanta.
Stoner serves as the GMEA District 12 Choral Chair and is professionally affiliated with MENC and ACDA.
The Cherokee Chorale is an auditioned choral group of 70 to 80 voices, encompassing a variety of ages, professions, and occupations, including a significant number of music professionals.
The Chorale was founded in 1988 and has steadily advanced in technical skill and choral artistry, performing increasingly challenging literature and establishing a reputation for excellence and popularity.
Tickets for the concert are $10 for adults and $5 for students and are available at the door before the concert. Tickets may be purchased in advance from any Chorale member, the Arts Center and Chamberhouse in Canton, Three Sisters Gifts in Hickory Flat, Jasper Drug in Jasper, and FoxTale Book Shoppe in Woodstock.
For information call (678) 439-8625. The web site is www.CherokeeChorale.org.
Post a Comment