The Rodeheaver Series For The Performing Arts Announces Season
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Staff Report-
The Rodeheaver Series for the Performing Arts of First United Methodist Church of Warsaw announced its 2011-2012 season of guest artists. The first performance will be sacred concert pianist Marilynn Ham Nov. 20 at 2 p.m. On Jan. 17 at 7:30 p.m., the Series will feature the Millikin University Chamber Chorale under the direction of Dr. Guy Forbes. Then on March 18 at 2 p.m., the two-person show Prairie Voices will come to town, starring Aasne Vigesaa and Kevin Purcell and featuring the poetry of Carl Sandburg, Vachel Lindsay and Edgar Lee Masters. All performances of the Rodeheaver Series are held in the church’s downtown sanctuary and admission is free. Ham is a nationally recognized sacred concert pianist, published arranger, recording artist, workshop leader and college professor. She served on the music faculty at Barclay College in Haviland, Kan., from 1979-89 and has been an associate professor of music and artist-in-residence at Bethel College in Mishawaka since 1989. Ham holds a bachelor’s degree in music from Northern Michigan University and a master’s degree in music from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with majors in piano performance. Born and raised in Michigan, Ham is the oldest in a family of 15 children. She enjoyed singing with her family in churches from a young age and she owes her experience in church music to growing up in a Christian family and her mother’s influence at the piano. Ham is published by Lillenas Publishing Company, Alfred Music Publishing and The FJH Music Company. Her first book of piano arrangements, “Ivory Exaltation”, was published in 1985 by Lillenas and has become their all-time best-selling keyboard book. Altogether, she has written 20 books of advanced sacred piano arrangements, one duet collection and two suites. Ham teaches applied piano for Bethel College and offers concerts, chapel programs, workshops and master classes in schools and churches. More information can be found on her web site. The Rodeheaver Series for the Performing Arts was established in 1990 to support and foster performing arts and artists in a manner which brings glory to God. Named for the Rodeheaver family, legendary for their development and support of Christian music, the Rodeheaver Series has sponsored more than 75 concerts, recitals and theatrical presentations. For directions to the church, call the church office at 574-267-6933.
