United Arts Council Presents the Third Annual Holiday Concert

by Mary Arney

Board Member, United Arts Council of Gaston County

Chairperson, Special Events Committee, United Arts Council of Gaston County

As part of the United Arts Council's mission to enhance the arts in Gaston County, we have provided top-notch performances in the community, from professional touring artists in the children's Kaleidoscope performing arts series to the Charlotte Symphony playing Pops in the Park.

Our newest effort started three years ago, when we brought the North Carolina Symphony to Unity Place for a holiday concert.

We are proud to continue the tradition this year with the Third Annual Holiday Concert, which will be held 8 pm Dec. 5 at Unity Place. This year will feature the Charlotte Philharmonic Orchestra, under the direction of Albert Moehring. The Maestro will lead more than 60 musicians in a program filled with familiar music, both sacred and secular.

We want family and friends to come out and enjoy the beginning of the holiday season with us, so this year, we are offering $10 tickets for children 12 and younger. We are also offering a 10 percent discount on groups of 20 or more. Regular adult admission is $25, and all of the ticket prices include a dessert reception following the concert, where audience members can meet Maestro Moehring.

We are pleased to be working with the Charlotte Philharmonic Orchestra again. They performed in our Spring Concert and wowed the audience with their energy and musicianship.

The Philharmonic is a well-established fixture on the Charlotte arts scene. Moehring founded the group and now serves as music director and conductor. He has developed a fledgling group of amateur musicians into a highly skilled professional 75-member symphonic orchestra. The orchestra's reputation has attracted guest artists such as Natalie Cole, The Opera Babes, Yanni and John Tesh.

The Philharmonic program on December 5 will feature The Holiday Singers who will perform a "Holly Jolly Christmas Medley" and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas". Other works include selections from The Nutcracker Suite, "Canadian Brass Christmas", "Sleigh Ride" and the Hallelujah Chorus from "Messiah."

This concert is a fund-raiser for the United Arts Council. Proceeds will help us continue our efforts to promote and sustain our hard-working arts groups throughout the county. Our funded affiliates, who receive operating grants, are Gaston Dance Theatre, Gaston County Art Guild, Gaston Concert Association, Gaston School of the Arts and The Gaston Choral Society.

The Art Guild, Choral Society and Concert Association are all run entirely by tireless volunteers, with no paid staff. With their programs, they reach thousands of Gaston County residents. The Arts Council's support, in addition to their own fund-raisers or ticket sales, helps these groups continue to grow and to expand their members' and their audiences' exposure to the arts.

We have to thank the sponsors who are supporting this year's Holiday concert: First National Bank, The Gaston Gazette, CaroMont Health, Allen Tate Realtors, Stabilus, Belmont Food & Beverage Co., Climbing the Walls, and Douglas R. Harris Jewelers.

These businesses recognize the importance of the arts in our community as:

· a creative outlet for our children

· a selling point to newcomers, both individuals and corporations

· a vital part of our culture

And don't forget, there's the pure enjoyment of enjoying a night out. We hope you can join us Dec. 5 and start your holidays on the right note.