History
The Mozart Club was founded in the 1920's as an organization of the professional musicians of Winston Salem. They began hosting an annual free concert for the community of Handel's Messiah in the 1930's. Initially, only the Christmas portion of the Messiah was performed and was hosted by Centenary United Methodist Church in downtown Winston Salem. Over the years, many well known conductors have performed with our group, including Sir David Willcocks for several years. The Mozart Club Board was led by Nancy Ann Harris Greenfield for many years until her death in 2006. Greg Powers organized and brought the Messiah performance forward after Mrs. Greenfield's death and served as our leader and chair until 2023.
The Mozart Club was founded in the 1920's as an organization of the professional musicians of Winston Salem. They began hosting an annual free concert for the community of Handel's Messiah in the 1930's. Initially, only the Christmas portion of the Messiah was performed and was hosted by Centenary United Methodist Church in downtown Winston Salem. Over the years, many well known conductors have performed with our group, including Sir David Willcocks for several years. The Mozart Club Board was led by Nancy Ann Harris Greenfield for many years until her death in 2006. Greg Powers organized and brought the Messiah performance forward after Mrs. Greenfield's death and served as our leader and chair until 2023.
Leadership
James Allbritten will be our conductor again this year. He has lead the ensemble for about the last 10 years. He is the Artistic Director for Piedmont Opera where his work for the company has received considerable critical acclaim. He has led a wide range of repertoire, from Mozart to nineteenth century standard repertoire, to the opera house premiere of Adam Guettel’s The Light in the Piazza. Allbritten came to North Carolina to join the faculty of the UNCSA, where he served for twenty years. He led the school’s Cantata Singers, Orchestra and was the founding Artistic Director of the A.J. Fletcher Opera Institute. He has also led performances for Opera Theater of the Rockies, Opera Carolina, the Carolina Chamber Symphony, and the Winston-Salem Symphony.
David Williamson, of First Baptist Church is the Chorus Master, leading the chorus rehearsals in preparation for the final week of rehearsals.
Terry Hicks, choral director at Forsyth Country Day School, is the piano accompanist for the rehearsal. He is also currently Chairman of the Mozart Club board.
The current board members are:
David Bergstone - Vice Chair
Allison George - Secretary
Mary Bergstone - Assistant Secretary
Joshua Bragg - Treasurer
Greg Powers - Assistant Tresurer, Immediate Past Chairman
David Williamson - Chorus Master
David Williamson, of First Baptist Church is the Chorus Master, leading the chorus rehearsals in preparation for the final week of rehearsals.
Terry Hicks, choral director at Forsyth Country Day School, is the piano accompanist for the rehearsal. He is also currently Chairman of the Mozart Club board.
The current board members are:
David Bergstone - Vice Chair
Allison George - Secretary
Mary Bergstone - Assistant Secretary
Joshua Bragg - Treasurer
Greg Powers - Assistant Tresurer, Immediate Past Chairman
David Williamson - Chorus Master