Coweta arts tidbits
The Successor To Newnan-Coweta Arts Council News Releases
Composed By: Forrest W. Schultz 770-583-3258 schultz_forrest@yahoo.com
March 21, 2008
Wadsworth Concert Updated Info Released
By now anyone knowledgeable of the Coweta scene knows that the traditional Wadsworth Concert is being held in March this year, instead of February. The following updated information has just been released by Gina Lau Snider, Public Information Officer of the City of Newnan:
2008 CHARLES WADSWORTH CONCERT
On March 29 at 7:30 PM, world-renowned pianist Charles Wadsworth will host a spectacular concert celebrating the much-anticipated completion of the Charles Wadsworth Auditorium Restoration Project.
Since its original completion in 1939, Newnan's Art Deco style Municipal Auditorium has seen many years of constant use by the community. It has always been a place of special memories for local audiences. On its stage hometown folks appeared in plays, graduations. recitials, concerts, Junior League Follies, special ceremonies, and much more. Some of those memories have been inscribed in the graffiti that can still be seen on the back stage brick walls ... and with a respect for history, will not be covered with paint.
Recognizing the importance of preserving the heritage of such an historic part of Newnan, the Auditorium Restoration Project was begun in 1993
Restoration of the auditorium itself has been completed and returned to its original Art Deco beauty. Refinished and reupholstered seats have also been re-installed. They now sit in the darkened and sleeping auditorium … soon to be released from their protective wrapping and occupied by a new audience. At the present time the stage area has been completely walled off to protect the auditorium from the work being completed on and behind the stage area. A new, high, stage ceiling has already been finished. A completely new modernized steel rigging system is being made and will soon be installed. Following that, new stage curtains will be hung, and the lighting system will be installed.
Soon the auditorium will awake … ready for its grand reopening.
Renamed The Charles Wadsworth Auditorium in 1998, the auditorium will be the site of the March 29th "A Preservation Celebration" which will welcome back local son and internationally acclaimed pianist Charles Wadsworth. Throughout the restoration committee's spearheading efforts to restore and enhance the acoustically superior auditorium, Wadsworth and other artists have participated in annual concerts to raise funds for the project. He'll return to his hometown with a stunning presentation of musical artists. Patrons and sponsors of the event will also attend a special post-concert reception. All are invited to be in attendance at this historic reopening and this grand concert by Charles Wadsworth and Friends.
WADSWORTH CONCERT BRINGS MASTER CLASSES TO STUDENTS
A new and exciting facet has been added to the Charles Wadsworth and Friends Concert on Saturday, March 29th. Two of the musicians performing in the concert will arrive a day earlier in order to conduct Master Classes for Coweta County high school and middle school string and clarinet students.
Violinest Chee-Yun and clarinetist Jose Franch-Ballester, both accomplished and world-class musicians, will conduct the Master Classes at The Centre for Performing and Visual Arts on Friday, March 28. The Master Classes are free-of-charge to the students. The Newnan Rotary Club will sponsor one of the Master Classes, and BB&T and Cargill will co-sponsored the second class.
"A Master Class is a class given to students of a particular discipline by an expert of that discipline—usually music, but also painting, drama, dance, or any of the arts. In a Master Class, a teacher's general comments are replaced by the far more personal, intimate, informed, and individualized instructions and comments of a practiced professional in that talent or skill."
Newnan High School's Band Director John Erdogan said, "Student participation in Master Classes can hone students' skills and challenge them. Encountering musicians who play on this level can benefit students greatly by helping them develop basic techniques, reading literature, tone production... and just from the opportunity to be exposed to a developed talent who has succeeded artistically and professionally. Someone who actually does this professionally can certainly benefit students. Lots of things can come from these Master Classes." Erdogan added, ""We are also so fortunate to have local citizens who not only appreciate Wadsworth and support his annual concert here, but also appreciate the musical arts enough to financially support a Master Class like this for our students."
Dr. Lyn Schenbeck, Director, Centre Strings (high school) orchestra (also 6th-8th Strings, Smokey Road Middle school ) commented, "This opportunity for our students and the Centre Strings ensemble to be a part of a Master Class can be a life-altering experience. To have the opportunity to learn from someone like violinist Chee-Yun is very exciting; our students will benefit in every way. A big thank you to Newnan Rotary and to BB&T and Cargill for making this happen."
Tickets for "A Preservation Celebration" Charles Wadsworth and Friends Concert are available at Scott's Book Store on the Newnan Courthouse Square, Morgan's Jewelers at Ashley Park, and The Bank of Coweta - Thomas Crossroads branch. General Admission tickets are $20. Student and Senior (65+) tickets are $15.
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