Messiah Soloists tell the story of the true meaning of Christmas
By David Williams
The Kinston/Lenoir Community Chorus is preparing for the 24th performance of Handel’s monumental work on December 9th at 7 PM. These two soloists are returning for this year’s performance. The chorus is made up of over 50 singers from Lenoir and surrounding counties. The North Carolina Baroque Orchestra will accompany the chorus and soloists.
Deborah Nansteel, Mezzo-Soprano, has performed in all of the leading opera companies in the US. Sought after for her performances on the concert stage, Ms. Nansteel has performed Handel’s Messiah with the Memphis Symphony and Charleston Symphony. Ms. Nansteel is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) where she earned an Artist Diploma in Opera and a Master of Music in Voice. She also received Bachelor of Music degrees in both Vocal Performance and Vocal Jazz Studies from East Carolina University and currently studies with Diana Soviero. Recent awards include Second Place in the Sun Valley Opera competition in Seattle, the Andrew White Award and Seybold/Russel Award in the Corbett Opera Scholarship Competition, and a winner in the National Orpheus Vocal Competition. She also recently earned the highly esteemed Betty Allen Award and a grant from the Sullivan Foundation.
Walter R. Swan, Baritone, hails from Hazlehurst (It), Mississippi returns to sing the solo role of the Bass in George Frideric Handel’s Oratorio, Messiah. Mr. Swan continues to captivate audiences with his warm vocal timbres and insightful interpretation. Mr. Swan performs recitals and oratorio both nationally and internationally. He received degrees from Alcorn State University, Lorman, MS; Mississippi College, Clinton, MS and the University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS. He currently resides in Elizabeth City, NC where he assumed the responsibilities of Assistant Professor of Voice at Elizabeth City State University after serving at Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA; Hampton University, Hampton, VA; Chowan University, Murfreesboro, NC and currently, at Elizabeth City State University as the Director of Choral Activities. Mr. Swan serves on faculty at Elizabeth City State University as a tenured professor voice faculty member and as the Director of Choral Activities.
The performance is December 9, 7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church located at 2101 N Herritage St. in Kinston. Admission is free, donations are gladly accepted. We believe that anyone should enjoy and be enriched spiritually and in every way by attending a performance of Messiah. We want all to be able to attend regardless of economic class/situation. You don’t want to miss this performance. It is impossible not to love it and be profoundly moved by it.
For more information you can e-mail us at Messiah@fpckinston.org or check us out on Facebook at Kinston/Lenoir County Messiah.
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