THOMASVILLE, GA – On Friday, April 11, at noon, Arts for the Community at Thomas University (ACTU) will present “A Saxophone Sampler” featuring saxophonist Patrick Meighan and pianist Heidi Louise Williams. The performance is part of ACTU’s Friday at Noon series and will be held in Balfour Chapel on Thomas University’s Main Campus, located at 1501 Millpond Road in Thomasville. Friday’s program will include works by Schumann, Jolivet, Milhaud and others.
Meighan is the Albert N. Tipton Professor of Music and was appointed the first artist-teacher of saxophone at The Florida State University College of Music in 1974. He has concertized as a soloist and ensemble recitalist throughout the continental United States, Australia, Canada, China, Europe and South America. Meighan has appeared in music festivals and on radio and television throughout the world.
“This year marks Pat’s 40th anniversary at FSU, so please join us in our celebration of this great artist,” said Karl Barton, series coordinator.
Heidi Williams joined the piano faculty at the Florida State University College of Music in 2007 and completed her B.M., M.M., and D.M.A. degrees at Peabody Conservatory of Music.
The Friday concert is free and open to the public. A complimentary luncheon will follow the saxophone and piano performance.
On Sunday, April 13, at 4 p.m., ACTU will present Handel’s “Messiah” featuring the Thomasville Singers with orchestra and soloists in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church, Thomasville, located at 210 N. Broad Street.
“This performance will feature Part II of ‘Messiah,’ which focuses on the Passion of our Lord, and is a perfect way to start Holy Week,” said Raymond Hughes, director of the Thomasville Singers. “We are also very excited to have First Baptist’s Associate Pastor Andy Daughtry joining us on organ continuo featuring the impressive, three-manual, 68-rank Holtkamp organ there.”
The soloists represent the local and regional music scene well, with Thomasville resident Rebecca Fadell singing soprano, and the imitable Lisa Asher Davis singing the alto solos along with renowned fellow Albany resident Chris Hendley as tenor, and Tallahassee resident Chris Liljestrand as bass. Chris is the son of Thomasville Singers and Sundays at Four founder, the late Paul Liljestrand.
“We will have an orchestra with oboes, trumpets, strings, harpsichord, organ and timpani, and the second part of ‘Messiah’ concludes with the famous Hallelujah chorus,” Barton continued. “I can’t think of a better way to observe Palm Sunday and invite people to unite with us in this great, musical testament.”
The Sunday concert is also free and open to the public. For additional information, visit thomasu.edu/actu or call(229) 227-6964.
