Published: October 12, 2009 11:41 am      

Club News, 10-12-09

Wednesday Morning Music Club met October 7 at the Ada Arts and Heritage Center. Mary Criswell Coyne and Vivian Kampbell served brunch to members and guests.

Dr. Kelly Alig, professor at ECU and his students presented the program, “All About Opera.” Allig traced the beginnings of opera from arias with orchestral accompaniment to the oratorio, which tells a story but focuses primarily on an intricate musical score. To illustrate, Tim Long, baritone from Tecumseh, sang “Thus Saith the Lord” from “The Messiah.” Some composers, like Wagner, conceived of musical dramas, similar to Greek tragedies, that featured protagonists and chorus with orchestra. During the next phase of development, European composers wrote operas based on famous stories and plays with themes of seduction, betrayal, murder, and revenge. Chris Geisler, tenor from Little Axe, sang “Il mio tesoro” from “Don Giovanni” by Mozart. Cassaundra Taylor, mezzo-soprano from Moore, sang “O Mio Fernando” by Gaetano Donizetti. Christina Kushnick, soprano from Spiro, sang “Voce di Donna” from “La Gioconda” by Amilcare Ponchielli. In 1955, American composer Carlisle Floyd composed the opera “Susannah,” based on a Biblical story. He concentrated on the vocal music and dramatic story, rather than orchestration. Caitlin Gray, soprano from Byng sang “The Trees on the Mountains” from that opera. In conclusion Chris Geisler, Tim Long, and James Gordon, baritone from Seminole, sang the light-hearted trio, “To Doubt Dorabella” from “Cosi fan Tutte” by Mozart. Rudy Lipinski, accompanist on piano for all of the performers, demonstrated how Mozart’s music simulated clinking glasses. Dr. Alig announced that music students from ECU will attend a performance of Gaetano Donizetti’s, “Lucia di Lammermoor” in Tulsa on October 10. Sara Coburn, coloratura soprano from Muskogee, will sing the principal role in this bel canto opera.

Members and guests were Katherine Roberts, Mary Jo Schoepflin, Ann Dicus, Ann Woolley, Lou Payne, Mary Criswell, Vedo Mayhall, Jane Muntz, Lillian Kroeker, Nancy Postier, Jane Johnston, Monica Stittsworth, Barbara Arrington, Rita Troska, Anita Arbabi, Vivian Kampbell, Tori Davison, Dania Deschamps Braly, Margaret Garber, Derrelyn Metz, Loretta Yin, Mary Ann Briggs, Patrice Briggs, Mary Keywood Deese, Norma Millsap, Dorothy Escamilla, Charlotte Oxford, Vickie Reifsnider, Kelly Alig, Rudy Lupinski, Steve Walker, Tim Long, Christina Kushnick, Phillip Berryhill, Georgene Hawkins, Kathy Long, Bettye Brown, Zenobia Pettett, Lenea Wilsher and Martha Rhynes.



Diamond "K'

President Bob Ardiana called the Sept. 29 meeting to order, lead salute to the flag, which was followed by Elvin Jaquess leading in prayer. The group met at the Aldridge for their fifth Tuesday breakfast. Lt. Gov. Bill Tackett, here to install new officers, was then introduced.

Neal Beasley introduced the speaker, Mayor Roger Cupps. The mayor indicated he had served on the City Council for five years and said his motivation for serving was wanting to see Ada move forward.

He spoke about three big issues facing the city of Ada. The trash/dump situation is a most important issue the city will have to address. The present dump only has seven more years of usable time. He said the city not be able to enlarge it due to the high water table. The city will have to decide about a transfer station, hire a private contractor to haul the trash or the city can continue to haul the trash, and also switching completely to a poly cart system of trash pick up.

Mayor Cupps spoke briefly about the replacement of sewer lines using the ‘pipe bursting’ method of installation. As a result, the city has been able to greatly reduce the amount of rain water that was flowing into the sewer system. Proposition II tax money has helped improve Ada’s infrastructure.

The visible water source was the other major issue to be addressed. The extremely high cost of building a lake and/or piping water was discussed. The city of Ada will need other communities to partner with Ada to help with the huge cost involved with this project. A visible water source will help to bring new individuals and new industry to Ada and will be necessary to maintain the standard of living Ada residents expect.

Following the Mayor’s talk, Lt. Gov. Bill Tackett was called upon to install the following 2009-2010 officers: Andy Hood, treasurer; Jim Barlow, secretary; Dan Zimmerman, president; Elvin Jaquess and Don Meeks, 2010 directors; Ron Keltner and Lou Moehlman, 2011 directors. The president-elect is Charles Barrick and Bob Ardiana the past president.

The following member and guests were present: Bob and Anita Ardiana, Jim Barlow, Charles Barrick, Turk Barrett, Neal Beasley, Patsy Beasley, Eldon Billings, Doc Bowen, JW Brown, M.E. and Mary Lou Carr, Betty Childers, Glen Childers, Gene Evans, Morris Gonsoulin, Marlene Green, Andy Hood, Joan Hood and Jennifer Hood, Elvin and Sue Jaquess, Ron Keltner, Don Meeks, Lou Moehlman, Billy Rice, James Treas, L.T. and Betty Williams, Corky Wilson Dan and Ann Zimmerman and guest Fred Khavari.