Maria McDaniel-Dikin

Maria McDaniel-Dikin, mezzo-soprano, will be appearing in Roanoke, under the auspices of the Thursday Morning Music Club (TMMC), on October 4 at the Grandin Court Baptist Church.

Ms. McDaniel, who is currently a member of the Atlanta Opera Chorus, is characterized as having “a voice of true power, polish and splendor – with an engaging and exciting gift for the stage.” She has performed in over 30 operas in 4 languages.

A graduate of Millikin University in Illinois with a Bachelor of Music, she has a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from Georgia State University in Atlanta. A recent career highlight was her participation in the cultural exchange program, “I Sing Beijing,” which included a performance at China’s National Centre for the Performing Arts.

Accompanying Ms. McDaniel is Seung-Won Cho, who is currently the Minister of Music and Organist at Calvary Baptist Church in Roanoke. A native of South Korea, he is an active conductor, organist, concert pianist, and baritone soloist.

He received a Bachelor of Music from Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude with a double major in choral conducting and organ performance. He earned a Master of Music in Choral Conducting degree from the University of Texas at Austin and is currently completing his dissertation for the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Choral Conducting at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

 The October 4 event will also feature a rendering of the old folk song “The Erie Canal” which was first introduced in 1905 by Tin Pan Alley songwriter Thomas S. Allen. The song will be performed by the TMMC Chorus under the direction of Judy Barger Edgell, with accompaniment by Janice Humphreys.

The Thursday Morning Music Club was formed in 1908 to create a broader appreciation of music, develop individual music and dance talent, and to support musical entertainment in the Roanoke Valley. Over the years, the organization was instrumental in the creation of the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, Opera Roanoke, and the Choral Society.

The organization sponsors a series of seven concerts, from October to May, the proceeds of which are used to fund scholarships which are given to promising singers, musicians and dancers. The Thursday Morning Music Club is affiliated with the National Federation of Music Clubs and the Virginia Federation of Music Clubs. 2012 – 2013

This year’s schedule: November 1: “Parade of American Music” with the Cave Spring High School Jazz Band December 6: White Breakfast and Memorial Service with the Thursday Morning Music Club Chorus and the Grandin Court Baptist Church Hand Bell Quartet February 7: “Founder’s Day” with Scott Williamson, Tenor; General Artistic Director of Opera Roanoke March 10: The Ardo Trio (Byron W. Petty – flute, Julia Gaudinova – cello, and Shuko Watanabe – piano April 14: “Annual Student Program” with performances by members of the Whole Notes, Virtuoso, and Foot Note divisions of the Thursday Morning Music Club May 19: National Music Week Month with Richard Randolph’s Pan Beautiful Classical Steel Drums

For more information, contact Jean Frazier at 540-345-0393 or visit http://www.tmmc-roanoke.org/

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