Marshall Severin (l), Susan Donn (c), and Chuck Woodward (r)
The Program
Rotarian of the Day Susan Donn introduced the guest speaker, Virginia Chorale Artistic Director Chuck Woodward. Known for his innovative programming, Chuck has conducted the Chorale in regional premieres of works by Pulitzer Prize winning composers David Lang and Kevin Puts, and a historically informed presentation of Georg Frideric Handel’s “Messiah.” He is also the Music Director of two historic congregations in Norfolk, Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church and Ohef Sholom Temple. From 1986-1993, he served as choral director and collaborative pianist for the Governor’s School for the Arts.
As a pianist, Chuck is a frequent collaborator in both vocal and instrumental concerts, having performed with the Virginia Arts Festival and Virginia Symphony Orchestra, among others. He has appeared in recitals at the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, and at the Phillips Collection (Washington, D.C.), Jordan Hall (Boston), and in Germany and Italy. His chamber performances have been heard on American Public Media’s "Performance Today."
Chuck was presented the Cultural Alliance of Greater Hampton Roads' 2017 Alli Award for outstanding contributions to the cultural life of greater Hampton Roads. He holds the master of music degree from Northwestern University and has served on the adjunct music faculties of William and Mary, Old Dominion University, and Christopher Newport University.
Accompanying Chuck to perform a series of Christmas carols, was Marshall Severin who has sung in the chorus and covered multiple roles with Virginia Opera, and has performed with Tidewater Opera Initiative as Guglielmo in Mozart's Cosí fan tutte and Marco in Puccini's Gianni Schicchi.
Before each carol, Chuck gave a brief talk about the songs’ origins. He says that carols first began as pagan songs and were only later adopted by Christians, flourishing during the Victorian era with such classics as Deck the Halls, Away in a Manger, We Three Kings, and O Come, All Ye Faithful.
The first song performed was Hark! The Herald Angels Sing. Chuck says the song was originally composed to commemorate the anniversary of the printing press. The popular version is the result of alterations by various hands, notably by Wesley's co-worker George Whitefield who changed the opening couplet to the familiar one, and by Felix Mendelssohn, whose melody was used for the lyrics. In 1840—a hundred years after the publication of Hymns and Sacred Poems—Mendelssohn composed a cantata to commemorate Johann Gutenberg's invention of the printing press, and it is music from this cantata, adapted by the English musician William H. Cummings to fit the current lyrics.
The second carol, Good King Wenceslas, is the story about a 10th-century Catholic Duke of Bohemia, also known as Vaclav the Good, who was martyred after being assassinated by his wicked brother, Boleslaw the Bad. The carol tells a story of him going on a journey and braving harsh winter weather to give alms to a poor peasant on the Feast of Stephen (December 26, the Second Day of Christmas).
The third song, O Holy Night, was composed by Adolphe Adam in 1847 to the French poem "Minuit, chrétiens" (Midnight, Christians) by poet Placide Cappeau. In the town of Roquemaure at the end of 1843, the church organ had recently been renovated. To celebrate the event, the parish priest asked Cappeau, a native of the town, to write a Christmas poem, even though the latter never showed any interest in religion. Originally, French church leaders rejected the song because they claimed it lacked spiritual depth.
The final carol, The Christmas Song, was written by the legendary Mel Torme and songwriter Bob Wells. Chuck says Torme was visiting Wells during a heat wave in Los Angeles when he noticed several lines scribbled on a piece of paper in Wells’ home. Torme asked Wells about it, they sat down, and 20 minutes later they had written one of the most popular Christmas songs of all time.
The annual holiday lunch was held once again at ODU’s Ted Constant Center and began with Pam Tubbs on piano and Eleanor Shoonover leading the songs. After announcing Larrymore Elementary as the school of the week, President Gary turned the meeting over to Jim Baker with the visitation report.
Jim said that Bob Ash is doing very well. Despite some lingering issues with arm strength, he should be able to return to Rotary meetings very soon. Shep Miller is out of the hospital following heart surgery and is recovering well at home. Jim said he was sad to report that Walt Grandy is not doing well and needs your thoughts and prayers.
Finally, Sally Hartman had two guests, Brian Klotz and Erica Venezuela, who are both prospective members. President Gary then reminded everyone to make an effort to bring guests in the coming year to grow our membership.
Happy Bucks
- Michelle Nettles’ son was accepted into the MBA program at the Stern School of Business at NYU.
- After having successful surgery to treat her epilepsy, Jeff Wells’ daughter was recently able to graduate from college.
- After a long trip, Jos Hekking’s wife has returned home.
- President Gary’s son, Weston, was accepted for an internship at Fort A.P. Hill.
- Steve Shultz is celebrating the end of the semester!
Since this was the holiday lunch, there was no drawing. The meeting concluded with the singing of Deck the Halls.