The Hazard Lecture Series hosted annually at Heritage Academy turns its focus to music with two free presentations on consecutive Mondays, Sept. 29 and Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. “The Voyage of the Artist: Celebrating Heritage Academy’s 50th Anniversary in Music and Song” is the theme that brings choral groups and Heritage alumni together to perform compositions from the era at the Heritage Elementary School Auditorium at 623 Willowbrook Road.
“We have had some serious talks the last two years during the 150th anniversary of the Civil War,” said George Hazard. “This year we’re helping our host, Heritage Academy, celebrate its 50th anniversary by offering some important musical works composed over that half century.”
The lecture series was developed by the adult children of the late George S. Hazard of Columbus as a tribute to their father’s interest in history and to serve the community. Rotating themes are history, science and the arts.
The series is another excellent opportunity for Heritage Academy to extend education beyond the traditional classroom setting, said Beth Lucas, HA director of admissions and public relations.
On Sept. 29
The first of the two events features music performed by Heritage alumni Cory Ferraez and Jace Ferraez. Both are 2007 graduates. The Heritage Academy Chorus Ensemble also performs, directed by Marilyn Fields. Alumna Amelia Smith Perkins, now living in Tupelo, composed the school’s alma mater and returns to lead in its singing.
Fields expects it to be a night of nostalgia.
“Amelia and I were both in the first graduating class together, 1972. I was valedictorian and she was salutatorian. We were best friends, and now we’ll be together again,” said Fields, who will accompany on piano. “We’ve stayed in touch, but this will be the first time we’ve done something musical together since our senior year.”
Fields is also an aunt to the Ferraez twins and taught them piano. At Heritage since 1976, she also teaches piano and voice.
On Oct. 6
The second series program showcases the Columbus Girlchoir, under the direction of Dr. Cherry Dunn, and the Mississippi University for Women Chamber Singers, directed by Dr. Phillip Stockton. Heritage 2014 alumna Megill Imes will accompany the singing of the alma mater on the piano.
“The Girlchoir has been in existence for 10 years, and we’ve had a good number of members from Heritage,” said Dunn. “In that time we’ve grown from 12 to 70 girls from 18 schools, including in Starkville and West Point.”
During the program, Dunn and Stockton will briefly talk about choral music trends of the last 50 years .
“We’re very appreciative of the Girlchoir and the MUW Chamber Singers helping us mark this important anniversary,” Hazard noted. “We hope these two programs will be enjoyable and yet educational by bringing to our audience some music and composers they may not know. And we’ll be celebrating three musical groups that enliven our city.”
“Both the community and school have been enriched by the outstanding speakers and programs that have been presented through the series,” Lucas said. “We are grateful to the Hazard family for their commitment to providing these opportunities each year.”
For more information on the free programs open to the public, contact Lucas at 662-327-1556, ext. 211 or email [email protected].
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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