| A Grand Night For Music | |||
| By Catherine Ellerton Moapa Valley Progress Published September 30, 2009 I interviewed a witch – and it wasn’t even Halloween! To be more precise, it was on the evening of Sept. 21. You should have been there. Where? At the Ron Dalley Theatre at the Moapa Valley High School for the opening of the 2009-2010 Moapa Valley Performing Arts Council Season. I marched right up to the witch and said “Well!” She, with the green skin and glowing eyes, said “Thank you!” Her mortal name is Vicki Willard and she was one of many acts that delighted an |
 Kids from the M.V. Childrens Choir sing a song about the animals on Noah’s Ark at a talent show concert held on Monday, September 21. |
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| enthusiastic audience. Vicki sang an excellent “The Wizard and I” which is from the musical Wicked.It is the story about how the witch became the witch in The Wizard of OZ.
The program was filled with every venue of the musical theatre from classical to Spirituals to dancing, gymnastics, choral works and instrumentals. The MVHS Jazz Band, directed by Kaelyne Pendleton, led off the evening with an upbeat “Children of Sanchez.” Close on their heels came Tony and Kelsey Carson with a soft rock rendition of “Cruisin.” Tony’s guitar and vocals were well matched by Kelsey’s clear vocals. |
 Vicki Willard, in full witch costume, performs a song from the Broadway hit Wicked in a talent show concert held last week. |
James Frehner, Cody Adams, Josh Garlick and Pace Maughan skillfully described the best cheeseburger in the world – “A Plain Cheeseburger.” No mustard – no catsup – just a “Plain Cheeseburger.” The clever words were given a just rendition by the quartet.
A very intriguing performance by Christina Leach of “Fever” was a crowd pleaser. This lady has a very listenable voice – pure and clean. She proved that the simplistic approach is often the most sultry and winning. The program also included various dance groups. There was a spirited gymnastics dance routine by the group aptly named “Flex-It,” (coached by Jennifer Evans). The agility, energy and flexibility of these young ladies were displayed to the music of “We Go Together.” The MVHS Pirate Motion team, coached by Brooklyn Bledsoe, presented an energetic routine to “Heart of the Matter.” Completing the dance routines were six glamorous ladies aptly named the Goldenettes. They sparkled through their interpretation of “Dancing Queen.” I am sure, ladies, that Tonia was smiling down on you. (This number was dedicated to long-time local dance instructor and former Goldenettes member, Mrs. Tonia Payne, who recently passed on.) |
| The classical selections were led off by the father-daughter duo of Jessica (cello) and Vernon Robison (piano) playing the Adagio and Allegro movements from Benedetto Marcello’s Sonata in C Major. The slow lyrical Adagio was followed by a precise and spirited Allegro by the talented duo. Rose Whitmore skillfully played a solo arrangement of “Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto.” The final classical presentation was played by the String Quartet of Jessica Robison, Marya Romero, Shelby Simper and Jessany Mortensen. They chose the first movement from Mozart’s “Hoffmeister” String Quartet with its clean, intertwining counterpoint melodies.
Two vocal groups that rounded out the entertaining evening were the ever-popular Children’s Choir, directed by Ellen Potter and accompanied by Linda Lyon, and the MVHS Encore Singers as directed by Kaelyne Pendleton. The Children’s Choir sang a very clever song called “Two by Two” which depicted the animals that were brought to Noah’s Ark. The MVHS Encore Singers gave a memorable performance of “Swingin’ with the Saints.” This Spiritual style selection featured very interesting arrangements of “Swing Lo’ Sweet Chariot” and “When The Saints Go Marchin’ In.” The evening proved to be the perfect beginning of a new Performing Arts Season in the Valley. The upcoming season will feature local groups as well as nationally known musical and theatrical groups. Each year the Council honors a person who has dedicated their talents to making sure “the Arts continue to enrich all of us.” This year that award was made posthumously to Catherine (Kay) Hills. The next performance will be “A Tribute To Patsy Cline” on October 19th. |
