Gainesville Daily Register

February 24, 2010

Plans continue for Council's "Swing into the Arts" event

Special to the Register

The Cooke County Arts Council met Thursday, Feb. 18, at noon at the First State Bank Conference Center, Gainesville. Vice President Dean Patterson presided.

In attendance were Lydia Ashley, Margie Askew, Sharon Chapman, Linda Coursey, Jan Fox, Dean Patterson and Phil Schenk.

News releases of the previous meeting held Jan. 21 were passed out by Linda Coursey, reporter.

Treasurer Phil Schenk gave the financial report. He urged budgets need to be in as to the Arts Council’s proposals to the Gainesville City Council.

The meeting’s main topic was the upcoming Arts Council fund raiser “swing into Arts” set for Saturday, March 20, at 7:30 p.m. at the Gainesville Independent School District auditorium at 1201 Lindsay St.

All members are excited about the event, which will be an opportunity for the public to see the many talents and accomplishments.

The Gainesville Swing Orchestra and North Central Texas Chorale will provide the musical entertainment.

The Orchestra will feature Big Bans music, jazz funk and rock ‘n roll. Toney Walsh will sing Frank Sinatra selections. Female vocalists are Jan Fox and Maria Harris. Jan is former president of the Arts Council.

The Chorale will perform Broadway and show tunes. At the final, the Chorale will join with the Orchestra. Vocalist are Charles Hart and Jan Fox.

The Chorale will feature a Texas premiere of “The Honeywell Waltz” written by Harold Bauer, one of the great pianists of the 20th century. The music was discovered only five years ago. It will be played by Barbara Brady and Carolyn Hook.

Peggy O’Neill will direct the Chorale for the spring season.

The Gainesville Council of Garden Clubs will display floral arrangements.

The Gainesville Area Visual Arts will have an art exhibition.

There will be a raffle for a framed original water color by artist Robert Littlefield Schafer and a large framed print entitled “Harvest Moon Ball,” by artist Terry Redlin.

Tickets will be available or purchased that evening at the auditorium. Admission is $10 adults and $5 students. All proceeds will go to scholarships and needs of the Arts Council.

Reports of other activities were given.

The Gainesville Area Visual Arts will be giving a $500 scholarship to a student majoring in the arts.

An Arts Council called meeting will be held March 4.