Southern Crescent Chorale performs at Spivey Hall

The Southern Crescent Chorale’s 2006-2007 season continues this weekend when the Chorale will perform “Magnificent Oratorio and Opera” in two acts. Spivey Hall, one of the world’s premier recital halls, will serve as the venue for the Chorale with accompaniment by soloists Keena Redding Hunt and Christopher Deraney. The event will take place March 10 at 8:15 p.m.

The first act will feature music from famous oratorios. An oratorio is a major work that takes its text from the Bible. The works include solos performed by Redding Hunt and Deraney, as well as choruses, all of which are often accompanied by orchestra. Favorites from the first act include pieces by Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Mozart, Brahms, Handel and others.

Act two highlights magnificent opera, again featuring soloists Redding Hunt and Deraney. Selections will include arias from famous operas such as Bizet’s “Carmen” and Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess.” In addition, the Chorale will sing several opera choruses including the favorites “Pilgrims Chorus,” “Anvil Chorus” and the finale from “Gondoliers.” Accompanying all of the above will be the renowned Spivey Hall organ and piano.

Keena Redding Hunt has performed in numerous Atlanta theatre productions, including performances with The Georgia Shakespeare Festival, The Alliance Theatre, Horizon Theatre, and Atlanta Lyric Theatre. In the spring of 2001, Redding Hunt received a master of music degree in vocal performance from the University of Florida, School of Music. She is currently associate choral director at Fayette County High School. She is also adjunct professor of theatre and music at Brenau University. Redding Hunt plans to pursue a doctor of musical arts degree in the fall of 2008.

Christopher J. Deraney, a baritone, recently graduated from Georgia Southern University with a bachelor of music degree in vocal performance. Deraney spent 12 years as a clarinetist before making his debut to the stage as Major-General Stanley in Gilbert and Sullivan’s “Pirates of Penzance” in 2003. Other roles and partial roles include Nick Shadow from “Rake’s Progress,” John Sorrells from “The Consul,” Sir Joseph Porter, K.C.B from “HMS Pinafore,” Don Alfonso and Count Almaviva from Mozart’s operas “Cosi fan tutte” and “Le Nozze di Figaro.” Deraney was recently awarded first place in his category at the National Association of Teacher’s of Singing (NATS, state level) competition in 2005, and second place in the regional competition. He is a recent soloist with the Georgia Southern Chorale and is a former president of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. He is currently studying in Atlanta and is singing with the Southern Crescent Chorale. He participated in their production of “Amahl and the Night Visitors” this past November. Deraney plans to attend graduate school in the fall of 2007 for opera performance.

The Southern Crescent Chorale is funded through contributions from local supporters of the arts, businesses and individuals, as well as the sale of concert tickets. Everyone in the community is invited to experience the musical excellence that the Chorale has to offer. For more information about the Southern Crescent Chorale, please send an email to info@southerncrescentchorale.org or call 770-716-1231.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $7.50 for students and available in advance or at the door, only through Spivey Hall. They may also be purchased online at www.spiveyhall.org or by phone at 678-466-4200.

Spivey Hall is located at 2000 Clayton State Blvd. in Morrow, Ga.

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