The Three Rivers Singers to present “The Magic and Mystery of Christmas”

On December 18^th, at 4 P.M., the Three Rivers Singers will present a program of sacred and secular music to celebrate “The Magic and Mystery of Christmas” at Shorter University’s Brookes Chapel. Len Willingham will direct the 55-member community chorus in old favorites from “What Child is This?”  and “Coventry Carol” to “ ’Twas the Night Before Christmas” and an interesting twist on “The Twelve Days of Christmas”. Several pieces will be augmented by brass instruments. Pianist Joan Hill will accompany the group. The concert is free and open to all. Donations are always welcome and appreciated! For more information, contact Lynn Todino at 706-232-7411 or 2todinos@hughes.net or go to the web site: www.threeriversingers.org

Additional information:

The Three Rivers Singers, Rome’scommunity chorus was organized in the spring of 2000, under the direction of Dr. Brian Horne, to provide the Rome area with opportunities for local singers to participate in choral music and to add to the cultural richness of the community.

In addition to regular fall and spring concerts, the chorus has performed with the Northwest Georgia Winds, directed by Dr. Sam Baltzer, the Rome Symphony Orchestra and sings periodically for residents of local personal care facilities. The Rome Area Council for the Arts has sponsored concerts for the group as well.

 

Len Willingham, our new music director this season, is a Rome native with a Bachelor of Music from Berry College and a Masters in Church Music from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He retired as Minister of Music from First United Methodist Church in Rome in 2010, after serving in churches in Georgia, Kentucky and Virginia. Len is also serving as Adjunct Music Faculty at Shorter University, having directed the Shorter University Chorus in 2010-2011. In addition, he has performed bass solos in numerous works, worked with singers of all ages, preparing soloists for works by Handel, Bach, Menotti, Rutter, Britten and Schwartz, and for All State auditions at various levels. He also has taught private voice lessons and has received numerous awards and honors related to his musical endeavors.

Joan Hill is a graduate of Shorter College with a Bachelor of Music degree in organ performance.  She also earned a Master of Music in organ performance from East Carolina University, and did additional graduate study, including performance concert, at Southern Baptist Seminary. Joan has been organist at churches in Georgia, Kentucky, and North Carolina, as well as accompanying choirs, ensembles, and soloists in churches, schools, and communities.  She retired in 2010 from teaching public school music for24 years. She is married to Kenneth Hill, a retired Minister of Music and enjoys being organist at First Baptist Church in Rome.