By Staff
special to The Star
Oct. 12, 2003
TOP is composed of five members from the Mississippi College Music Faculty who have performed with symphony orchestras, opera, and theater companies from Austria to Hawaii.
The group will be the guests at Thursday's St. Paul's Chamber Music Series. The concert begins at 12:05 p.m. and admission is free.
The group's solo engagements include appearances with the New Orleans Opera, Louisiana Philharmonic, Greater Miami Opera, Mississippi Opera, Mississippi Symphony and Meridian Symphony.
The group consists of Dana Rice, soprano; Viola Dacus, mezzo-soprano; Edward Dacus, tenor; Patton Rice, baritone; and Carol Joy Sparkman, pianist.
They have appeared as a group on both collegiate and regional concert series, presenting programs that range from opera to musical theater.
The coincidence that both couples the Rices and the Dacuses ended up on the same voice faculty gave rise to TOP in 2000 when they performed a promotional concert for Mississippi Opera at Jackson's popular Jubilee Jam.
Their accompanist, Sparkman, holds the staff accompanist position at Mississippi College. She is well known in Mississippi and throughout the region for her accompanying skills, and has been awarded the Brothers Accompanying Award at the regional National Association of Teachers of Singing Convention.
Dana Rice holds a doctorate in voice and pedagogy from the University of Southern Mississippi. Edward and Viola Dacus both hold the doctor of musical arts degree from Louisiana State University. And Patton Rice holds a master's degree in vocal performance from Florida State University where he is also an doctoral candidate.
TOP's concerts vary according to the audience. TOPS has presented full programs in both opera and musical theater, as well as the most requested program which consists of half opera, half musical theater.
This program features some of the most beloved music from both genres. TOP has performed selections from "La Traviata," "Rigoletto," "Carmen," "The Barber of Seville," "La Bohme," "Porgy and Bess," "Showboat," "West Side Story," "Candide," and "The Goldwyn Follies."
Their program for the St. Paul Concert Series will also feature new selections from "The Secret Garden" and "Don Giovanni."
WANT TO GO?
What: St. Paul's Music Series
When: Thursday, 12:05 p.m.
Where: St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 1116 23rd Ave.
Call: 693-2502
Admission: Free