United Arts Council of Gaston County

In 1968, while walking the halls of Gaston Memorial Hospital, Dr. Joel Conner and Dr. Edward Whitesides wondered if there would be any interest in forming a local choral group. They approached Adrian Littlejohn, the minister of music at First Baptist Church in Gastonia, who then gathered a dozen or so enthusiastic singers around a table. He distributed copies of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic," and, by the end of the evening, Gaston Choral Society was a reality, with Adrian as the director and Helen Cloninger as the accompanist.

Fifty singers constituted the charter membership of the choral group. They presented their first concert on May 31,1968, in the Grier School Auditorium. The program was divided into two parts: a sacred section and a contemporary section. Among the "contemporary" selections were: Moon River, Born Free, Climb Every Mountain, and Somewhere from West Side Story.

The second concert, in January 1969, included dancers from the Colvin and Durham Schools of Dance performing several selections from "The Nutcracker Suite". The singers concluded the program with excerpts from Handel's "Messiah." The Spring Concert of that year (1969) began with The Mass in G by Schubert and concluded with a variety of show tunes.

Mr. Littlejohn remained the conductor until 1973, and Mrs. Cloninger served as accompanist through the Christmas concert of 1977.

The CONDUCTORS of the society after Adrian Littlejohn were:
Robert Decker (1974),
Max Shoaf (1975),
Charles DuRant (1976 -1980),
Mary McFarland (1981 - 1999),
Renee Painter (2000), and
Dan Wynkoop (2001 -   ).

Dr. Conner was the President of the Society from 1968 until 1972. The other members of the first board of directors were: Hugh McArver, Mrs. James Costner, Kaye Wimberly, and Edward Whitesides.

The CONCERT STAGE changed through the years.
1971 and 1972: First Presbyterian Church in Gastonia.
1973 and 1974: Ashbrook High School Auditorium.
1975 through Spring Concert, 1998: Hunter Huss High School Auditorium.
1998 through 2000: Myers Auditorium at Gaston College.
Currently (2001 - ): Unity Place in Gastonia.

There were other changes over the years:
TICKET PRICES:
1971: $2.00 for adults and $1.00 for students and Senior Citizens.
1985: $2.50 for adults and $1.00 for students and Senior Citizens.
1989: $3.00 for adults and $2.00 for students and Senior Citizens.
1995: $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for students and Senior Citizens.
1997: $6.00 for adults and $4.00 for students and Senior Citizens.

DUES paid by the singers:
1971: $5.00 per concert.
1980's and early 1990's: $10.00 per concert.
1998 to present (2001): $15.00 per concert.

PATRON MEMBERSHIPS:
Financial contributors to the concerts were classified either as Patrons or Sponsors. Patrons contributed $25.00 for the concert season, and sponsors contributed $10.00 a season. In December 1979, the classifications were changed to eighth notes ($15), quarter notes ($30), half notes ($60), and whole notes ($100) to allow for additional levels of giving.

HIGHLIGHTS from past concerts:
In 1973, the Gaston Children's Choral Society was created just for the January 27 concert and was comprised of children and friends of the adult members of the chorus. The concert title was, appropriately, "It's a Small World." The second half of the program combined both choruses singing "Fantasie On Nursery Rhymes" and several choral selections from The Wizard of Oz.   The program concluded with "It's a Small World."

The Christmas Concert of 1998, performed at Myers Auditorium at Gaston College, was entitled "Christmas Glory." It included a piece of music ("Christmas Glory") written specifically for the choral society by Mary McFarland, the director. That year the group celebrated thirty years of organized, musical performance and invited charter members to return as their guests. They were recognized in the audience, and then were asked to join the group on stage to sing the final number, “White Christmas.”

The Christmas concert of 1999 was titled "Christmas With a Peal." The Queen City Ringers, a bell choir from Charlotte, performed several pieces with the choral society and several solo pieces.

The society's performances throughout the years have included solos, duets, dramatic readings, pantomime, and the cheerleaders from Hunter Huss and South Point High School. The choral group has been accompanied be various instruments, in addition to the piano: flute, violin, harp, string bass, drums, trumpets, guitar, a wind quartet, the Western Piedmont Chamber Orchestra and, in 1999, an entire bell choir.

Two concerts are presented each year (Spring and Christmas), with music selections ranging from classical to contemporary, whimsical to religious, Broadway to spirituals. The group is composed of adults (over 18), and its mission is to enrich the cultural atmosphere of Gaston County. The group possesses an extensive library of music, and pieces performed in the early years are still being used today. The group consistently maintains a membership of about fifty singers.

Members’ dues, ticket sales, patron drives, and grants from the North Carolina state and local Arts Councils help support the Gaston Choral Society.

Members of the current (2002) Board of Directors (elected yearly) are Karen Guzek, Rene King Crump, Mark Thornburg, Bob Thornburg, Joan Pearson, David Dellinger, Betty Klimek, Sue Williamson, Gwen Crutchfield, and Jennine Dellinger.

Christmas Concert: "Hodie! Christ is Born!" December 19 and 20, Friday and Saturday at Unity Place on Franklin Blvd. in Gastonia. It starts at 8:00 PM. Tickets are $6.00, available at the door. Call Karen Guzek, President, 704-864-8028, for more information.

Rehearsals for the Spring concert will begin at 7:30 PM at Unity Place on January 15, 2004. All voice parts are needed and welcomed.