Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/499110
APRIL 22-28, 2015 UCW 11 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM For more than 20 years, the Cumberland Oratorio Singers have entertained the community through the presentation of professional symphonic choral music. The 65 members, under the direction of Director Dr. Michael Martin, perform throughout Cumberland County and the Sandhills Region. "I think what I hear most from others is that they are quite surprised that we have a choir in this area that is capable of singing so many different genres of music," said Martin, who has lead the group for the past seven seasons. Martin hails from the great state of Maine. Following 18 years of teaching, he attended Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, and completed his Ph.D. in Music Education. He is the Director of Choral Activities and Music Education at Methodist University and was appointed artistic director and conductor of Cumberland Oratorio Singers in 2008. "From folk music to spiritual, or small to major choral works with orchestra, it seems we always hear from people that they didn't know we existed," he continued. "While that's a compliment, we really do try to reach into our community." With a choir as large as the COS it takes 8 or even 10 weeks to prepare for any given concert. The COS strives to sing, share and listen, while giving the community live choral music. The choir also affords local college students and other vocalist the opportunity to share their talent with others and entertain audiences. Being a part of a musical group can be a musician's greatest desire. Learning from a group that's been around for decades can help build an artist's craft. On Saturday, May 2, the choir will exercise its vocal prowess during a performance, which features the Terry Sanford High School Choir, at St. John's Episcopal Church. The performance will focus on two multi-movement works: Leonard Bernstein's Chichester Psalms and Francis Poulenc's Gloria. "In terms of picking the music, I try to ensure the music is accessible, yet challenging, to the choir. It also means choosing the repertoire in February to advertise the next season," said Martin. "My greatest enjoyment is to make choral music accessible to the singers in Cumberland County. Between the Cumberland Oratorio Singers, the Cross Creek Chorale, and our endeavor to create a youth chorus in Fayetteville, we feel we are doing our best to make all levels of choral music accessible to all singers," he added. The Cross Creek Chorale, an auditioned group, will feature a more expanded choral experience for those wanting advanced rigor. This ensemble is featured, along with the entire membership of the COS, in its opening and closing concerts of every season. The addition of the auditioned group allowed the organization to offer something for all singers, which will allow it to better meet its mission of providing choral music to more people in the Sandhills region. Season tickets to Cumberland Oratorio Singers concerts are $23 per person. Students are admitted free with an ID. For more information about the Cumberland Oratorio Singers, visit the website at www.singwithcos.org Cumberland Oratorio Singers Join Forces With Terry Sanford High School Choir for Upcoming Performance at St. John's by CANDICE CARR CANDICE CARR, Contributing Writer. COMMENTS? Editor@upand- comingweekly.com. 910.484.6200. Dr. Michael Martin Hours: 9am-6pm Mon-Fri 3006 Bragg Blvd. 910.323.1791 www.thetrophyhouseinc.com Teacher Time to order that special monogrammed Gift! Wedding Graduation Final Art Fortune Gloss Text 133 4 1-22-2015 11:57 AM 2-13-2015 11:26 AM 100% Andrew McCarthy Studio Manager: Proofreader: Art Director: Copywriter: Creative Director: Production Manager: Account Executive: Client: A. McCarthy R. Virginia M. Heckart W. Wood J. Morledge J. Adler-Kerekes B. Ehninger Ad Council Initials ADC5-9551A0012_7-875x10-5.indd Fonts: Avenir (95 Black), Minion Pro (Regular), Italian Plate (Bold) Inks Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black Links: ADC_16_291_A005_C013_1030S4_CMYK_Grey.tif (CMYK; 485 ppi; 61.85%), NHTSA_Logo_K.ai (22.67%), ADCOUN- CIL_Blk.eps (13.42%) Art Version: Paper: Line Screen: Edit Round: Creation Date: Modified Date: Printed at: Printed by: AD COUNCIL ADC5-9551A0012 "NHTSA Buckle Up" 4C Nonbleed Mag Page Ad 7.875" W x 10.5" H 7.875" W x 10.5" H 7.875" W x 10.5" H None None None Notes: None Client: Job#: Title: Media Type: Bleed: Trim: Safety: Gutter: Run Date: Publication: WHEN THE GAMES BEGIN. VISIT SAFERCAR.GOV/KIDSBUCKLEUP NEVER GIVE UP UNTIL THEY BUCKLE UP. T:7.875"