NOVA Community Chorus

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers-

Your performance yesterday was absolutely amazing. Each of our 8 movements was far and away the best rendition we ever produced. Your sound and musicianship were superb. There were countless examples of your accomplishments, but none greater than No. 6 Agnus Dei. Wow!

Now on to our May 1 program. We have only 2 rehearsals before our April 28 Dress Rehearsal in Schlesinger. Please don’t miss either. Tomorrow we continue auditions for The Settling Year No. 2 and the Still I Rise solos.

See you then.
Yours-DrW

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Friends- Here is a Youtube link to this year’s Black History Month Celebration.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14VhZcUatHw
I hope you will take a moment to watch. I would love to get your ideas about how we can get even more of our campus (students and faculty) involved. Diversity is our strength at the Alexandria Campus, and this is a way to celebrate that diversity in a big way.
Yours-Mark

From Dr. Whitmire: Please publicize the following:

Dr. Mark Whitmire (AL) will conduct two upcoming performances with the Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic Orchestra and NOVA Community Chorus. The concerts will include Requiem, a new work by Washington composer Paul Leavitt. The 60-piece orchestra and 80-voice chorus will be joined by four professional vocal soloists: Lisa Edwards Burrs (soprano), Grace Gori (mezzo-soprano), Patrick Cook (tenor), and Aurelius Gori (baritone). Cecelia Porter, contributing critic for The Washington Post wrote, “Paul Leavitt’s Requiem…should belong in every chorus’s repertoire…deeply expressive and skillfully written…steeped in rich contrapuntal texture…ethereal serenity.” Also on the program is the Cello Concerto of Samuel Barber with cellist Steven Framil. The performances are Sunday, March 29, at 3:00 p.m. at George Washington Masonic National Memorial (101 Callahan Drive, Alexandria) and Sunday, April 12, at 3:00 p.m. at Church of the Epiphany (1317 G Street NW, Washington, DC). Tickets at the door are $20. Half-price tickets are available for NVCC students and faculty by phoning 703-845-6097 or email mwhitmire@nvcc.edu.

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Friends – Thanks to all who were able to attend our Black History Month Celebration last Tuesday. More than 150 students were involved in the event.
My special thanks to Jimmy and the faculty who participated: Elizabeth Bull, Christine Hagan, John Kocur, Maria Rynn, Agnes Malicka, Kate Al-Shamma, Angela Terry and NOVA Studio and who designed the poster and program, and Linda Vitello and her staff.
The celebration was dedicated to Dr. Joseph Windham. Joe’s wife Marilyn and their two children were present. Our dear friend Joe was certainly there is spirit.

Pictured: Lisa Edward Burrs, Soprano; Marilyn Windham; Mark Whitmire

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers-
Thanks for a fabulous rehearsal today. What a concert we are going to have! It is hard to know what will be the high point – there are so many contenders. Your singing was very compelling, and then there were the tappers, DeMarcus, and Alfred Street! And wait till you hear Lisa’s set. Please spread the word. Bring your friends and family. They will be so glad that you did.

Here is a group singing “Comin’ to town” from The Settling Years that we will be starting on March 3. These guys look pretty good…good eye contact
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-j90L30ZqE

But I like these guys. I’d like us to look (and sound) like them
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Abv3n9g2CkM

Do you agree? I think one of the keys is that they singing without music. So, let’s sing Great Day and In that great gettin up mornin without music. Tomorrow you’ll be snowbound, so spend the days singing your spirituals without music. You may have to doctor up and few spots, but you’ ll be suprised that you actually already know this music.

The call on Tuesday is 6:00 pm in the Choir Room. Please be on time so that we can put the final touches on this great program.

Yours-DrW

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers-
We are first on the program. We sing:

Great Day
Motherless child
In that great gettin’ up mornin

At the end of the program we sing Lift every voice.

The auditioned group sings Wake up, my soul just before Lift every voice.

I have attached the complete program (.pdf) for your perusal.

I need some folks to fold and staple programs. Let me know if you around campus Tomorrow or Tuesday and can help.

Spread the word! E-mail, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Telephone, Smoke-signals. We want to have a great crowd for a great program!

Yours-DrW

Click image for Flyer PDF

From Dr. Whitmire: This year’s Black History Month Celebration (dedicated to the memory of our friend and teacher Dr. Joseph Windham) is on Tuesday, February 24, at 7:30 pm in Schlesinger. It will be an exciting and moving event, as you can see from the line-up of performers. I hope you are able to attend and bring your students.

Black History Month Celebration
Tuesday, February 24, 7:30 p.m.
Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center, Alexandria

Dedicated to the Memory of our Friend and Teacher
Dr. Joe Windham

featuring music by

Joyce Garrett and the renowned
Choir of Alfred Street Baptist Church

NOVA Jazz Ensemble (John Kocur, Director)

NOVA Community Chorus (Dr. Mark Whitmire, Director)

Dr. Lisa Edwards Burrs, soprano

DEM Vocal Trio

The Metropolitan Youth Tap Ensemble

Prose readings by Maya Angelou
Read by NOVA Drama Students of Dr. Kate Al-Shamma

Art work by NOVA Studio (Angela Terry, supervisor)

No tickets are required. A donation is requested.

For more information: 703-845-6097; mwhitmire@nvcc.edu

Click image for Flyer PDF