Voci Virili Men's Consort
The Met Bell Quartet
The Opera Tennessee Carolers
The Chattanooga Music Club will present its annual A Holiday Spectacular on Sunday, Nov. 17, beginning at 3 p.m. at First Cumberland Presbyterian Church. This year’s concert will feature, the Opera Tennessee Carolers, the Metropolitan Bells Quartet and the Voci Virili Men’s Consort.
Review for the performance:
Dressed in traditional costumes the Opera Tennessee Carolers are Marianna Allen, Cathy Laird, Nick Davidson, and E.J. Laird. Dedicated to inspiring and educating Chattanoogans of all ages and backgrounds, Opera Tennessee provides opportunities to experience and fall in love with opera.
For the past 30 years, the Metropolitan Bells have delighted audiences with their performances. This year’s quartet includes Gary Bynum, Jad Johnson, Becky Price, and Sherry Shaver. They will play a selection of Christmas quarters, duets, and solos.
Voci Virili, which translates as voice of reason, brings 18 trained male voices to the program with a cappella singing and also accompanied music by such composers as Palestrina, Manz, and Forrest. They will perform sea shanties and a carol or two for the season. Soloists include tenors James Harr and Justin Hipp. John Wigal provides piano for the accompanied pieces.
Founded in 1896 by a small group of musicians in Chattanooga, the CMC holds the distinction of being the oldest music club in Tennessee and has played a leadership role in Chattanooga’s fine arts for 128 years. One of the most rewarding achievements of the club is their scholarship competition held every spring. Approximately 200 students have received scholarship awards since 1946 and many of those recipients have become professional vocalists, instrumentalists, private and classroom teachers, orchestra directors, church musicians, and scores of other professions related to music. In 2023, over $10,000 was awarded in scholarships to high school seniors.
The club is renowned for major restorations of the Austin Pipe Organ at the Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Auditorium, which was installed 99 years ago in 1925. The Chattanooga Music Club provides free music concerts to the public and other music activities for its members and guests.
First Cumberland Presbyterian Church is at 1505 North Moore Road. This event is free and open to the public (donations are welcome).