Wednesday, October 23, 2002
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Wednesday, October 23, 2002 |
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PTC's 1st Presbyterian to present concert Sunday Bill Killmeier, baritone and Rick Massengale, piano, will present "All American," a program of mostly early American love songs, at First Presbyterian Church in Peachtree City, Sunday, Oct. 27, at 5 p.m. They will be joined by local soprano, Cindy Van Wert. The artists will begin with a section of early 20th century songs from composers such as Haydn Wood and Ernest Charles, followed by selected old American songs arranged by Aaron Copland, as well as Appalachian songs of other composers. During the second half of the program, songs from the "father of American operetta," Sigmund Romberg, will be performed. The program will close with familiar tunes from George Gershwin's "Porgy and Bess." Bill Killmeier grew up in Marietta and now resides in Newnan. After graduating from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, N.J., he was selected as soloist and member of The United States Army Band and Chorus (Pershing's Own) in Washington, D.C. After his enlistment in the U.S. Army, Killmeier continued his singing career in Germany, where he sang for nearly ten years as a full-time opera house soloist in various theaters. During that time he performed over 50 leading operatic roles. Killmeier is the coauthor of "Auditioning in the 21st Century," an essential handbook for those auditioning for and working in the German-speaking theater "fest" system. Pianist Rick Massengale has a Masters of Performance degree from Georgia State University and is director of music at Fayetteville First United Methodist Church. He has been playing professionally for 30 years, has composed extensively and has released a CD of original piano works. In addition to this, Massengale is much in demand as a jazz pianist and is half of the popular 'Those Two Guys' duo that performs weekly at Augustino's Restaurant in Peachtree City. Soprano vocalist Cynthia Van Wert was born in Nazareth, raised in Israel and is the daughter of Baptist Missionaries. After moving to the United States, she earned her Bachelor of Music degree in vocal performance at Eastern Kentucky University and her Master's of Music in vocal performance at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. While at the University of Tennessee, Van Wert was awarded the Mary Costa Opera Scholarship and was chosen to be an apprentice with the Knoxville Opera Company. She was a regional finalist in the Metropolitan Opera audition competition and the winner of the UT Concerto competition. Her solo performance experience includes opera, oratorio, musical theatre and outdoor drama, as well as choral and recitals. A full-time mother of two, Van Wert currently resides in Fayette County where she has lived for 11 years. She continues to perform and teaches voice privately. Admission to the concert is free, however, an offering for the artists will be taken during the intermission. First Presbyterian is at 206 Willowbend Rd., across from the city hall/library complex in Peachtree City. For more information, call 770-487-7757. |
