Lehigh Valley Economy Boosted By Thriving Nonprofit Arts Sector

Lehigh Valley’s nonprofit arts community pumps $200 million annually into the region’s economy

The two tickets to a live opera rebroadcast at Allentown Symphony Hall were just the first things Jane Wells Schooley spent money on Thursday evening. Before the show, she and her granddaughter had dinner at a nearby Mexican restaurant. They planned to get dessert at Rita’s Italian ice afterward.

Still, Schooley, of Lower Nazareth Township, considered the outing an excellent value.

“To be able to expose a young person to opera without spending $200!” she whispered as the curtains parted to a full-screen, high-definition view of the pit orchestra at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. “We are extremely fortunate to have the arts that we have in the Lehigh Valley.”

Fortunate indeed — and in more than one sense. The Valley’s many nonprofit arts and cultural organizations do more than provide diverse entertainment and intellectual stimulation. They also boost the local economy as patrons like Schooley, eager to take advantage of the region’s relatively inexpensive offerings, open their wallets before, during and after the main event.

Read more: http://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-lehigh-valley-arts-impact-20120721,0,3268839.story

MUSIC AT EMMANUEL (Pottstown) Presents: Megan Durham, Mezzo-Soprano

Megan Durham, mezzo-soprano

FREE ADMISSION

MEET MS. DURHAM AT A POST-CONCERT RECEPTION

Emmanuel Lutheran Church

150 N. Hanover Street    Pottstown,PA  19464

Facebook.com/music.at.emmanuel

Andrew Meade – Minister of Music

www.emmanuelpottstown.org

610-323-4312

 MYSTERY OF THE SONG: Music of Passion, Intrigue, and Whimsy

Megan Durham, mezzo-soprano  –  Sunday, March 25, 2012      4:00pm

Lyric mezzo-soprano Megan Allison Durham serves on the voice faculties of DeSales University in Center Valley,PA and Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA.  A versatile performer with a particular interest in oratorio and chamber repertoire, she was a 2010 finalist in the Bach Vocal Competition sponsored by the American Bach Society & Bach Choir of Bethlehem. Her agile instrument and vibrant stage presence lends itself to a wide body of repertoire ranging from Vivaldi to Weil. Ms. Durham is a frequent recitalist in the greater Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley areas.  Her program will feature a variety of music for voice and piano including the “Cinco Canciones Negras” by Xavier Montsalvatge and “Minicabs” by William Bolcom.  Drew Nielsen, professor of piano at DeSales University, will be accompanying Ms. Durham.

Ms. Durham studied voice pedagogy with Marvin Keenze and Dr. Scott McCoy, from whom she acquired an interest in acoustical science. As a researcher and teacher, she has been particularly influenced by the work of Alfred Tomatis, notable French author, ENT and singing specialist. Current research interests include cultural and language diversity in the voice studio, specifically the pedagogic and phonetic challenges voice teachers face when instructing students whose native language is different from their own.  Ms. Durham holds a Master of Music degree in voice pedagogy and performance from Westminster Choir College of Rider University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in music (voice performance) from the University of Richmond. She serves as a Director at Large for the Lehigh Valley chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing and is a member of the New York Singing Teacher’s Association and the Voice Foundation.  You can visit Ms. Durham’s website at: www.meganallisondurham.com.

The 2011-2012 MUSIC AT EMMANUEL season is full of variety, excitement, youth, passion and above all – musical excellence.  We are thrilled to present artists that range from our finest regional talent to a pianist from the other side of the world!  Our season will include an organist who studied and teaches at the world-famous Julliard School in New York City, an exciting young singer, one of America’s oldest musical ensembles, a choir from the renowned Westminster Choir College, and a Ukrainian pianist who was a stand-out at the Moscow Conservatory.  MUSIC AT EMMANUEL is dedicated to bringing the live music of the highest calibre to the Pottstown community.  We are also dedicated to supporting young artists from our region as they develop their performing careers.  All concerts on our 2011-12 season are offered free of charge to the public, and are funded by the generous support of individuals in our church and community who believe that great music has an essential place in our culture and community.    For additional information about the concert series please visit the church’s website: www.emmanuelpottstown.org or find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/music.at.emmanuel.