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Former music student returns to BPC to give recital

Wemberly Ponder, left, accompanies former BPC student, John Wolters, baritone, in recital April 4.

MOUNT VERNON—Former BPC student, John Wolters, a baritone, performed in recital April 4 in Gilder Recital Hall. He was accompanied by Wemberly Ponder, a regular accompanist for Georgia Southern University (GSU) and a GSU graduate.

Wolters, 25, is working on a master of music degree in vocal performance at GSU.  The Douglas, Ga. native, began studying voice when he started his college career at Brewton-Parker under the tutelage of former professors, Dr. T.N. Retif and Dr. Kandi Kearly-Smith. At BPC, he performed in the roles of “Pooh-Bah” in The Mikado, the “Wolf/Steward” in Into the Woods, and was the primary bass soloist for a production of The Messiah. He was the inaugural winner of the Virginia Chapman Voice Competition in 2003 and placed third in the 2005 Senior Men’s Southeast Regional NATS competition.

Wolters is currently working towards a master of music degree in vocal performance at GSU, where he is active in the opera program. At the university, he performed in The Holiday Madrigal Feast and The Elixir of Love. He is looking forward to creating the role of Walter Cocking in the world premiere of Dr. Michael Braz’s opera, A Scholar Under Siege, in late April.

The April 4 recital included a range of musical styles and selections, including works by Mozart, Chopin, Mendelssohn, Henry Purcel, Roger Quilter, and a three-piece selection from Robert Shumann’s Liederkreis.

Join more BPC Division of Music events this April on the Mount Vernon campus. Events are free and open to the community.

• April 24 – The Jazz Combo Concert will be held at 7 p.m. in Gilder Recital Hall.
• April 26 – The Concert Choir will hold its spring concert at 8 p.m. in Saliba Chapel.
• April 27 – A final Spring 2007 student recital will be held at 3 p.m. in Gilder Recital Hall.

-BPC-