Saturday, November 21, 2009

 

PROFESSIONAL RECITAL SERIES KICKS OFF AT TRINITY

 

 

 

Trinity United Methodist Church Grand Island is launching its first ever recital series featuring professional musicians from Western New York. The first recital of the year will be held on Saturday, Nov. 21 at 7:30 p.m. and will feature Tenor Paul Waara, accompanied by pianist, James Welch.

 

Mr. Waara attended SUNY Fredonia, where he earned his Bachelor’s of Music in Music Education. He has actively been performing with Opera-Lytes, a local theatre company since 2003. Favorite roles include: Signor Deluso (Léon), The Mikado (Nanki Poo), Patience (Duke of Dunstable), The Pirates of Penzance (Frederic), Hello, Dolly! (Cornelius Hackl), and HMS Pinafore (Ralph Rackstraw). Paul has also served as the Vocal Director for Opera-Lytes since 2004 and conducts the group’s annual Christmas and Valentine’s Concerts. He has been a tenor soloist for Handel’s Messiah with the Niagara Interfaith Chorale, Judas Maccabeus with the Amherst Chamber Ensembles, and has also sung the role of the “Narrator” in The Coffee Cantata by J.S. Bach. Mr. Waara is a cantor at St. John Vianney Church in Orchard Park where he also co-directs the Adult Choir.

 

Mr. Welch is known as a collaborative pianist and soloist. He is a graduate of East Carolina University where he received his M.M. in Piano Performance and worked as a graduate teaching assistant. He received his B.M. in Piano Performance and a Performer's Certificate from the State University of New York College at Fredonia. He is the 2nd place winner of the 2007 Bradshaw & Buono International Piano Competition. Mr. Welch regularly accompanies vocal and instrumental recitals, choral concerts, musical theatre and opera workshops, master classes, and auditions throughout the Western New York area including a master class given by Renee Fleming in 2006. He presently serves on the faculty at the State University of New York College at Fredonia as a vocal accompanist and instructor of class piano.

 

Saturday’s program will feature music by Mozart, Faure, Rodgers, and others.

The entire community is encouraged to attend. A free will donation will be collected with proceeds benefiting the Trinity Chancel Choir Fund.

For more information, please contact Kelly Petrie at 310-5224.