Warner Robins Community Concert celebrates 33 years

Middle Georgians have been enjoying live musical performances continuously since 1983 thanks to all those who support the Warner Robins Community Concert Association. The group of musical patrons strives to bring quality music and entertainment at an affordable price while also providing musical and educational opportunities for students of all ages — elementary through college — completely free of charge.

The 2016-2017 season will kick off with the first concert on Sept. 25. Season tickets are now available, and if purchased by Aug. 31, will be processed and available for pick-up at the first concert. Individual tickets for all concerts are available at the door at $15 for adults and free for all students.

But the success of the Warner Robins Community Concert Association depends greatly on the support of the season ticket holders, patrons, donors, benefactors and sponsors. The community is encouraged to purchase tickets now for the six-concert season —which runs Sept. 25 through April 23 — for the price of $35 per season ticket holder.

The September concert features the traditional free performance for the whole community of the Wellston Winds at the Houston County High School auditorium. This is the fifth year the Wellston Winds has premiered the community concert season and showcases our abundance of local talent.

Making up the ensemble are local band directors, music teachers, former Air Force Band members and other area musicians. The band is known for its variety of musical selections and promises something for everyone to enjoy.

On Oct. 16, the community is invited to welcome home Warner Robins resident Betty Cantrell, Miss America 2016.

Known for her platform of Healthy Children, Strong America and for serving as the National Goodwill Ambassador for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, Betty entertained many audiences this past year with her highly trained vocal expertise. She is currently a junior at Mercer University in Macon, where she is studying musical performance with the aspiration to perform on Broadway.

Award-winning pianist David Murray will take the stage Nov. 13 with his repertoire of pre-classical music on modern piano. The Emmy winner has performed throughout the United States and has numerous recording credits to his name. He is currently professor of music and head of keyboard studies at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro after receiving advanced degrees from the University of Kentucky and Arizona State University.

Into 2017, the Georgia College Max Noah Singers and the Cat’s Meow will perform “Valentine’s Day Rendezvous” on Feb. 12. Although presenting this performance for the first time in Warner Robins, this is the 11th annual Valentine’s Day Rendezvous musical afternoon all about love songs. The Max Noah Singers is an ensemble of auditioned, traditional singers, while the Cat’s Meow is a contemporary pop a cappella vocal group.

Talented musicians from around the world make up the roster that will perform March 19 at the Robert McDuffie Center for Strings. The center is part of Mercer University’s Townsend School of Music, which offers conservatory training with a business-oriented undergraduate curriculum. The concert will include small and large ensemble performances.

Finally, the Georgia Big Band of 17 professional instrumentalists and two vocalists will perform April 23. Originally organized as the Dublin Jazz Band, the band has grown into what it is today representing musicians of varied professional backgrounds from across Middle Georgia. The Georgia Big Band is dedicated to preserving and sharing the big band sound and tradition.

All performances after the Sept. 25 kickoff at Houston County High School auditorium will be held at First United Methodist Church, 205 N. Davis Drive, Warner Robins. Single season adult tickets are $35; patron contributor is $100 (two season tickets), donor contributor is $250 (five season tickets) and benefactor contributor is $500 (10 season tickets). Further information is available by emailing wrcca819@yahoo.com or visitingwrconcert.org.

This story was originally published August 28, 2016 at 3:43 PM with the headline "Warner Robins Community Concert celebrates 33 years."