Our Directors

Jeanie Lipscomb: Founder of the Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit. Co-Founder with Linda W. Heard of “A Classical Christmas” in 2004. In 2005, Ms. Lipscomb secured a director and named The Cumming Playhouse Singers. Since childhood, she has enjoyed music and has sung in her church choir. She performed “Ah, Je Veux Vivre” by Tschaivosky in the Miss Atlanta Pageant and auditioned for the Grace Moore Scholarship for voice at the University of Tennessee, where she earned a Bachelor of Music Degree. Jeanie is married to the prominent attorney Emory Lipscomb and they have four children and one grand daughter.

Sharon Gunter, Ph. D. has been blessed to share a love and appreciation of music in Forsyth County for several years, in both her prior businesses, STRINGS & KEYS, INC, GUNTER MUSIC STUDIO, INC. and her current business, Sharon Gunter Enterprises, Inc. She is a critically acclaimed vocalist, master teacher, author, composer/arranger and lecturer. Sharon has received numerous awards including recognition as an outstanding female executive for her contribution in the field of Promoting Performing Arts by The American Biographical Institute for the year 2000. She is an active participant in the March of Dimes, the Relay for Life, Hands Across Forsyth, the United Way of Forsyth, the Feed the Hungry campaign and the Lawrence Awards benefiting the United Hospice Foundation. Dr. Gunter is Co-Founder of The Forsyth Disability Coalition, Inc with her husband, Dr. Marcus Gunter. They have one son, daughter-in-law and a grand daughter. Sharon’s latest endeavor is a joint effort with Cindy Bell creating and touring as Heavenly Expressions. L.L.C., www.heavenlyexpressions.net

Marianna Carroll: is an accomplished pianist, organist and choral director with degrees in music from Florida Atlantic University and the University of Georgia. She has been a resident of Cumming for eight years and loves it! She has made many friends by assisting several local churches as organist. Marianna is a retired music teacher from the Gwinnett County Public Schools where she served as Choral Director at Norcross High School for fourteen years. Her love of choral music led her to become a proud member of the Cumming Playhouse Singers. Maintaining a successful piano studio in her home also gives her great joy. She feels that it is a fun and fabulous honor to be a part of the enormously talented musical community in the wonderful City of Cumming.

 

Ringing in the holiday season in the lovely, quaint town of Cumming, Georgia, A Classical Christmas, Inc. invites one and all to enjoy the warmth and charm of magnificent classical and traditional Christmas melodies in this years production of Christmastime In The City. We proudly present the most accomplished musicians in the North Georgia area including harpists, violinist, classical guitarist, flutist and concert pianist graced with some of the finest voices you will ever hear. Performing at the Cumming Playhouse where history and culture come to play in the newly renovated school house built in 1923.

Due to popular demand and "standing room" only crowds, we suggest you reserve your seats early. Our event December 9, 2008 will start promptly at 8:00 p.m.

To order tickets call 770-781-9178 or visit www.playhousecumming.com.

We would encourage everyone to create a memory and family tradition by sharing the Holiday season with us.

Mark your calendars early for 2009, we will be expanding to two nights due to record crowds, December 8 and 9, 2009. 

Auditions

One may join the family of A Classical Christmas by first either auditioning during the open audition period or having two (2) or more directors observe their ability for the purpose of audition at some appointed time. A determination must first be made to learn which cast members will be returning for the new season in order to evaluate the number of open positions. The highest scoring auditionees will be offered those open positions.

The open audition period for the 2008 season is as follows:

Tuesday August 12, 2008 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Saturday August 16, 2008 10:00 a.m. to noon

Tuesday August 19, 2008 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Auditions are held in the Library of the “Old School House” 101 School St. Cumming, GA 30040. Appointments are made in fifteen (15) minute intervals by scheduling a time with one of the directors that is mutually convenient and available for all parties. It is not necessary to attempt to perform “the” Christmas piece one wishes to perform for the 2008 season. We are strictly looking to observe ones ability and strengths.

Once the cast has been determined for the up coming season, a meet and greet will be held to welcome the new members. Each participant will arrive at this first meeting with two or three pieces they would like to consider for the concert. After a review of each participant’s wish list, the group as a whole will determine which pieces would best suit which performer for this season.

Jeanie Lipscomb: 770-887-7739 or (c) 770-317-0882

Sharon Gunter, Ph. D.: 678-455-3938 or (c) 404-252-9770

Marianna Carroll: 770-886-6447 or (c) 678-575-5975

Rehearsals

Individual performers will schedule rehearsal time with their own accompanist.

Accompanist can be selected from other cast members as we have quite a talented lot to choose from.

Group rehearsals are only necessary the last few weeks prior to the concert for the group finale “Let There Be Peace On Earth” done in three (3) part harmony. The occasional missed group rehearsal can be understood with just reasoning but the Dress Rehearsal Is Mandatory, no exceptions.

The dress rehearsal for 2008 is scheduled for December 8, starting at 7:00 p.m. It is not necessary for one to appear in costume or performance dress, but this is an exact walk through of the concert and will not be stopped unless something dire should take place. All adjustments of sound and lights will be made during the walk through and live action.

Meet Our Organization

Our purpose is simple and straight forward

  1. To increase community holiday spirit and cheer
  2. To offer a classical alternative to an ever growing commercial infusion of seasonal values
  3. To identify and work with community resources to broaden the interest and ability of our “budding” youthful musicians and create a venue to showcase the more mature musicians
  4. To seek to undertake any and all other programs and activities necessary to carry out the purposes of the corporation that are in accordance with all applicable State and Federal laws.

Officers:

Each director shall hold one of the three offices deemed necessary for the existence of the organization: Secretary, Librarian and Treasurer.