NEWSLETTER #99
by Wendel Werner
HELLO AND WELCOME TO THE WENDEL
WERNER NEWSLETTER #99
Man, 99 newsletters. Hmmm...I started to talk through memories of doing all
these, but I think I'll wait until 2008 starts with newsletter #100. Then I can
talk about things I have planned for the next year as well. That means that not
only will I make you wait to hear those things, but it leaves me A LOT more room
to discuss the month of December. As per typical December, I'll be driving
around quite a bit...
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2007
MORRISTOWN, TN.
WALTERS STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
HOLIDAY CHORAL CONCERT
(MORRISTOWN BRANCH)
7PM
Well, talk about a full evening. The concert choir will do Vivaldi's Gloria. The
mens choir will do Thompson's "Testament of Freedom." I have TWO student
conductors directing during my portion of the concert as well as premiering a
new choral piece for women called "None Can Hold My Baby." It's the most
amitious concert I've seen during the time I've been at Walters State. You will
hear a lot of wonderful music.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2007
SANDRA PORTER CONCERT
FIRST FARRAGUT METHODIST CHURCH
4PM
FREE
If you have seen me in concert anywhere within the last year, then you've
probably heard Sandra. She's a very talented singer. She is FINALLY doing a solo
concert on this afternoon. I'll be playing for her and&nb sp;she'll have
numerous special guests including a frequent singer in Wendel concerts (and
current UT Singer) Jessica Bolinger. PLEASE come and support Sandra before she
becomes so popular that you'll have to buy tickets ahead of time. I'm not
kidding.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2007
WENDEL WERNER CONCERT
WARTBURG, TN.
WARTBURG FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
3PM
FREE
Well, it's not REALLY free. The church is asking that bring either a can of food
or a wrapped toy so that they can make some donations for the holiday season.
In the meantime, I think this is the fifth time I've been at this church this
year. This time, I'm bringing Sandra Porter as a special guest so that more
people can hear what she can do. AND...I'll be doing a duet with someone from
the church. At least I HOPE to be doing a duet....the other person doesn't know
yet.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2007
SEVIERVILLE, TN.
WALTERS STATE HOLIDAY CHORAL CONCERT
(SEVIERVILLE CAMPUS)
7pm
FREE
So, should you miss the holiday concert on the Morristown campus, then you'll be
able to hear SOME of the same music. But for those that are coming to both,
here's what you'll get at this concert: performances by the concert choir of
Carter High School under the direction of Sarah Qualls, a preview of music that
BACKBEAT, the college's show choir, will be doing during their madrigal dinner
later that week under the direction of Dr. Deborah Hicks, plus the pieces that
I'll be directing...including the new Christmas piece "None Can Hold My Baby."
Be aware that seating will be VERY limited so you will want to arrive early.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2007
CHA CHA'S (in Homberg Place)
7pm-10pm
Free
Well, 'tis the season. Therefore, I'll be working in a lot of holiday pieces
into what I normally play. Come help me celebrate.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2007
GIBBS HIGH SCHOOL HOLIDAY CHORAL CONCERT
GIBBS HIGH SCHOOL
7PM
$5
Under the direction of my friend Leslie Graves, I'll be accompanying this high
schools three choirs during their concert. AND, it seems that one of the choirs
may be doing a piece of mine. You will also hear from some other slouch
composers like Rutter and Vivaldi...you probably haven't heard of them.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2007
THE ANNUAL WENDEL-DESTROYS-ALL-CHRISTMAS-SONGS-KNOWN-TO-MAN CONCERT
LAWSON-MCGHEE LIBRARY
(special guest LESLIE GRAVES)
6pm
Well, it's time for the one performance I get asked about more than any other
throughout the entire year. I'll be at the downtown library TRYING to "Wendelize"
every Christmas tune known to man. It seems that every time someone asks me
about these concert, the very NEXT question is "Will LESLIE be there?" YES!!! It
seems that no one expect to attend this concert WITHOUT her being present. She
has become quite important to this performance. We've been having loads of
discussions as to what music we should do this year. While we are still
narrowing those things down, know that we plan to have a lot of fun.
Again...seating is limited. You want to be there early!!!
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2007
SENSATIONS/WENDEL WERNER HOLIDAY CONCERT
WALTERS STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE (MORRISTOWN CAMPUS)
WSCC AUDITORIUM
7PM
FREE
Sensations is the name of the showchoir from Walters State's Morristown branch,
under the direction of Laura Ritter. This year's holiday concert is a
performance by them for half the concert and a performance by me for the other
half. They want me to destroy Christmas songs out there, too. Luckily for them,
I know how to do that.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2007
CLINTON, TN.
MEMORIAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
both morning services
I'll be coming out to Clinton, Tn. on this morning to play everything in the
first service and do several pieces with the choir in the second service. (I
understand that the choir is doing a couple of pieces of mine including a
relatively new piece called "Teach Me How To Pray.") I don't often play in the
Clinton area, but I know people that live in Clinton...so please come and say
hi.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2007
CHA CHA'S (in Homberg Place)
7pm-10pm
FREE
At Cha Cha's, they call Wednesdays "Wine-A-Way-with-Wendel" Wednesday. I THINK
they have specials on wine on those nights. (I don't drink so I wouldn't know.)
But that WOULD make sense...I've been told that I sound better after a few
drinks. You should come and see for yourself.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2007
CHA CHA'S (in Homberg Place)
7pm-10pm
FREE
Since this is the last Wednesday before Christmas, I'm planning a little bit of
a surprise during this performance at Cha Cha's. What is it? You'll have to be
there.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2007
BALLET GLORIA CHRISTMAS CONCERT
PELLISSIPPI COMMUNITY COLLEGE AUDITORIUM
2:30PM & 7:30PM
$10
Ballet Gloria is a dance company directed by Gwendolyn Johnson-Delany. I have
done several performances with them and last spring they did a large portion of
their concert accompanied by Alan Eleazer and myself. This year, the last half
of the Christmas concert is all choreographed to music of mine...and some of it
is to be performed live. I'll have some gifted singers with me: Sandra Porter (i'm
sure recovering after her first concert), Jessica Bolinger (who sang with Alan
and me last year), Danielle Machiela (former Just In Time member), Ashley
Sizemore (current UT Singer), and newcomer Katy Free. Ballet Gloria NEVER
disappoints. You don't want to miss this.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2007
CHA CHA'S (in Homberg Place)
7pm-10pm
FREE
Got relatives still in town? Are they driving you nuts? Have them come to Cha
Cha's and make them shut up...while listening to me, of course.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2007
WENDEL WERNER AND MELANIE HOWE
THE PIZZA KITCHEN
8PM-10PM
FREE
Well, normally, I play this gig with saxophonist Terry Schmidt. But Terry will
be in New York during this time so I've asked percussionist Melanie Howe to come
and play with me instead. Melanie has performed with me at the Pizza Kitchen
before as well as Cha Cha's numerous times. She is a member of the blues band
known as Wendel Werner and the House Band and she is the front person of her own
band, known as Siren. I'm lucky that she was available for this date. Please
come and hear what she can do.
MODAY, DECEMBER 31, 2007 (NEW YEARS EVE)
THE KNOXVILLE MUSEUM OF ART
SHARON MOSBY AND THE WENDEL WERNER QUINTET (opening act)
9PM-10PM
$$$
Yes, you read right...we are the opening act. A blues artist from Memphis is
headlining. All of us that normally perform with Sharon will be there. And it's
New Years Eve. It HAS to be a great night, right? So get dressed up and come and
spend it with us.
Hopefully I'll see you sometime during this month either at a gig..or on the WAY
to one of these gigs.
Either way, have a great holiday season.
Thanks for your support.
Wendel Werner