The concert features performances by the Sandhills Guitar Ensemble, the SCC Choir and graduating music majors. Admission is free.
The choir, under the direction of Frances Wilson and accompanied by Jennifer Thomas, will perform a variety of pieces including the debut performance of a recently discovered madrigal by Dr. John Andrews, professor of music at Houghton College in Houghton, N.Y., from 1935 to 1974.
The madrigal, “Sweet Month of May,” was among nine manuscripts found in the basement of the professor’s home after his death by his daughter, Alice Wilkins. Wilkins, an accomplished musician and librarian at SCC’s Boyd Library, was preparing her father’s home for becoming a rental property when she discovered an accordion file which contained several of her father’s compositions.
Wilkins believes the music was written by her father as part of his graduate studies at Eastman School of Music.
“My father never billed himself as a composer,” said Wilkins. “He was a violinist, an orchestra conductor and instructor of many of the college’s music courses including counterpoint, orchestration and string instruments. This is something about him I never knew. The pieces are hauntingly beautiful.”
The text of “Sweet Month of May” was taken from a poem written by Sir John Davies for Elizabeth I of England. The choir will be accompanied by members of the Sandhills Consort, a group of musicians who play medieval and renaissance instruments. Wilkins, on treble viol, will be joined by Bill Rolland, voice and tenor recorder, Tim Rumph on great bass recorder and Barbara Cook on tenor viol.
The choir will also perform Kyrie from “Memorial” by Rene Clausen and selections from the musical “Camelot.”
The Guitar Ensemble, under the direction of Danny Infantino, will perform “Introduction and Fandango” by L. Boccherini and “Rondo” by M. Guiliani.
In keeping with SCC tradition, graduating music majors are featured in the program. Kathryn Chaffin, Michael Evans, Elvin McCollum, Steven Morrissette, Claire Westbrook, and Jeremy Wright will graduate this year. Chaffin, Evans, Morrissette and Westbrook plan to continue their education in the fall at Appalachian State University, a school well known for its outstanding music department. Jeremy Wright will transfer to Western Carolina University. McCollum plans to play guitar in his church and perform with his gospel group.
For more information about the spring concert at SCC, call 910-695-3830.
