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Oratorio Singers of Charlotte featured in Bach’s ‘St. Matthew Passion’

Founded in 1951, the Oratorio Singers of Charlotte is the official chorus of the Charlotte Symphony. Composed of  141 volunteer singers, many of who hold graduate degrees in music, the chorus performs with the Charlotte Symphony several times a year including on November 22 & 23, 2013 in Bach's 'St. Matthew Passion.'

Several Oratorio members have small roles in the program. Read more on these talented singers!
Mary Katheryn Monteith, alto - Testis I
Mary Katheryn Monteith is a classically trained vocalist, with degrees in Vocal Performance and Music Education, with a Masters in Music Education. Her performance background includes musical theater, opera, choral repertoire, and art song.   She has performed in venues throughout the Eastern United States and Europe, and has participated in classroom instruction, choral workshops, and vocal coaching. Her loves include her family, church, baking, and homeschooling her three children.

S. Seth Hickel, tenor - Testis II
An OSC (2009), and current board member, Seth studied performance at Berkshire Christian College and Appalachian State University.  Music has been an integral part of Seth's life since learning accordion at age six.  Seth and his partner, Joel, provide music through solo and ensemble work; a favorite being the Christmas Eve service at The Chapel of Rest in Happy Valley, Lenoir.  Seth feels exceptionally fortunate to be an OSC member under the direction of Dr. Jarrett: an opportunity to be relished.

Elizabeth Rennie, soprano - Ancilla I
In addition to singing with Oratorio, Beth Rennie is the co-president of Pulse: Young Affiliates of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra. Pulse's mission is to foster the next generation of live classical music concertgoers through innovative programming, engaging events, and interactive educational opportunities with CSO musicians. Through membership, volunteerism, and a basic support of the CSO's mission, Pulse aims to develop sustainable support of the arts in Charlotte. 

Charlotte Judge, soprano - Ancilla II
Charlotte was born in Charleston, SC and spent most of her childhood in Aiken, SC.  She attended Winthrop College and the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia, PA.  Recently, she completed her Bachelor of Music Degree in Vocal Performance at Queens University of Charlotte.  Charlotte currently serves as the Associate Director of Music Ministries at Providence United Methodist Church and teaches private voice and piano lessons.  She has a wonderful husband, Jack and two beautiful daughters, Lillie and Anna.  She is presently on the Board of Directors of the Oratorio Singers of Charlotte.

Angela Gwinn, soprano - Uxor Pilati
Angela Gwinn has performed as a soloist with many opera companies and symphonies San Francisco Opera, San Francisco Symphony, New Zealand Opera, New York City Opera, Wolf Trap Opera, Costa Rica Symphony, Berkeley Symphony, and with Gian Carlo Menotti at the Spoleto Festival in Charleston are highlights from her professional career.   Angela has her Bachelors degree in Voice from Northwestern University, and Masters degree in Opera from The Juilliard School while on a full-scholarship with the American Opera Center. She is employed at UTC Aerospace.

Kenny Potter, baritone Judas
Dr. Kenny Potter is Director of Choral Activities at Wingate University and has degrees from Florida State University, Portland State University, and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. As a performer, he has been a featured soloist in Carnegie Hall, and was choir soloist for the Grammy-winning Oregon Bach Festival choir as well as the International Bach Academy, conducted by Helmuth Rilling. He has been a lecturer and clinician on choral music throughout the United States.

Philip Bugaiski, baritone - Peter
Now in his tenth OSC season, Dr. Bugaiski has been heard as the High Priest in Handel's Saul, and as a soloist with the Chamber Chorus, including Howell's Requiem, Vaughan William's Serenade to Music, and Monteverdi's Vespers. He has performed with the Holst Singers of London, including the world premiere of Tavener's The Veil of the Temple and the Decca recording of The John Tavener Collection. Bugaiski has sung with the Dessoff Choirs of NYC and currently sings at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church.

Warren Howell, bass - Pontifex I
Warren Howell, joined the Oratorio Singers in 2010.  A native of California, he holds degrees in music from Baylor University and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and has served congregations through music ministry in Florida, Virginia, and more recently, St. John's Baptist Church in Charlotte.  He is an adjunct faculty member at Queens University of Charlotte, directing the Chamber Singers.  In his free time, he enjoys cooking for his wife, Maureen, and going for walks with his dog, Ginger. 

Dareion Malone, bass - Pontifex II
A native of Mississippi, Dareion Malone has been singing and playing piano since early childhood. This is his first season with the Oratorio Singers of Charlotte; however, he has performed with numerous ensembles and sung several principal opera roles with the University of North Carolina at Charlotte where he received a Bachelor of Music in Music Education.  He also holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Rust College in Holly Springs, MS. Dareion is currently the chorus and piano instructor at Hopewell High School in Huntersville, NC.

Posted in Classics. Tagged as Bach, chorus, Classical, Oratorio.

THE FIRST CSO PERFORMANCE OF BEETHOVEN’S SYMPHONY NO. 6

This weekend, we're performing Beethoven's Symphony No. 6 for the ninth time! The first performance of this work by your Charlotte Symphony took place on May 26, 1939 with Guillermo S. de Roxlo conducting at Alexander Graham Junior High School. 

Here's what that program book looked like:









Posted in Classics. Tagged as Beethoven, Classical.

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