By Staff
LEAD ROLE David, will be sung by tenor and MCC alumnus Eric van Hoven. Submitted photo
Special to The Star
Nov. 21, 2001
Meridian Community College's Arts &Letters Series will usher in the holiday season Nov. 30 with the musical concert, "King David." Curtain time is 7:30 p.m. in the McCain Theater on the MCC campus.
With an 89-member chorus and a 15-member orchestra, this grand oratorio tells the Old Testament story of David through a blending of music and narration.
The lead role, David, will be sung by tenor and MCC alumnus Eric van Hoven.
A Meridian native, van Hoven made his Broadway debut in the Tony Award-winning production of Berstein's Candide. He has appeared in more than 30 operas and musical theater productions nationwide.
The musical setting is by Arthur Honegger after a drama by Rene' Morax and is sung in English King David will be sung by the MCC Singers and Community Chorus with orchestral accompaniment conducted by Hermetz. In addition to van Hoven, other soloists are Heidi Swanson, mezzo-soprano, playing Witch of Endor; Diane Benton, soprano; Suzie Haynes, mezzo-soprano; and Andrew Webb, narrator.
Members of the chorus who are sopranos are: Elizabeth Bartlett, Diane Benton, Janet Barham, Amy Bobo, Lisa Cothen, Kelly Dabbs, Jane Dasis, Latrina Grace, Kathleen Graham, Tiffany Harrison, Suzie Haynes, Casey Hendricks, Shanna Hollis, Mary Houze, Holly Jones, Lisa Kramer, Lindsey Kyles, Jessica Lockridge, Liberty Moreno, Melody Norman, Marietta Norwood, Barbara Panagiotou, Kay Poole, Loretta Pruitt, Donna Savell, Lauren Smith,
Lindsey Stithem, Amanda Rickles, Marcellene Thompson and Mitzi Tyler.
Altos are Carollon Blanpied, Jo Ann Chandler, Dee Deavers, Allyn Doggett, Judy Donellan, Judy Donnersbach, Jamie Ford, Carolyn Hendricks, Frances Hinton, Lauren Lee, Sylvia McEachin, Linda McInnis, Melitus McKee, Kiley McLemore, Jennifer Meyers, De Shae Mouton, Anita Panagiotou, Danielle Rigdon, Donna Savell, Renee Snowden, Heidi Swanson and Carla Warner.
Tenors include Bob Barham, Michael Barham, Jonathan Burton, Howard Crenshaw, Brandon Dewease, Phillip Henricks, Jerome Kittrell, Stewart Marshall, Brian Nanney, Clint Nanney, Mike Nanney, Anson Norwood, Steve Majure, Jeremy Sande, Jeremy Scarbrough, Ron Smith, Clark Thomas and Bob Walker.
Bass voices include Ken Carter, Joe Covington, Nick Kramer, Tim Lee, Paul McDonald, John McEachin, Brandon Moseley, Jason Mowdy, Paul Springer, Bill Stallworth, Ray Swanson, John Triplett, Andrew Webb, Nick Webb, Alonzo Williams and Russ Williamson.
Rounding out the musical cast are members of the orchestra: Stephanie Smith, flute I; Sue Shoffiett, flute II; Melanie James, oboe/English horn; Erika Reed, clarinet I; C.J. Holditch, clarinet II; Sabina Ivy, bassoon; Patrick Creel, French horn; Brad Snow, trumpet I; Amon Eady, trumpet II; Eddie Elsey, trombone; David Ethridge, bass viol; Wayne McInnis, piano; Manley Blackwell, harmonium/celeste; David White and Adam Pickett, percussion; and Scott Kratzer, tympani.
Rounding out the musical cast are members of the orchestra: Stephanie Smith, flute I; Sue Shoffiett, flute II; Melanie James, oboe/English horn; Erika Reed, clarinet I; C.J. Holditch, clarinet II; Sabina Ivy, bassoon; Patrick Creel, French horn; Brad Snow, trumpet I; Amon Eady, trumpet II; Eddie Elsey, trombone; David Ethridge, bass viol; Wayne McInnis, piano; Manley Blackwell, harmonium/celeste; David White and Adam Pickett, percussion; and Scott Kratzer, tympani.
The production is under written in part by a grant from the Meridian Council for the Arts and the Mississippi Arts Commission.
Tickets for this performance are $5, adults; $3, students; or an Arts &Letters Series Season ticket. For ticket information, contact Michele Thames at 484-8696.