Free Holiday Spectacular concert on Tuesday

The Chattanooga Music Club will present its annual free holiday concert on Tuesday, Nov. 19, in Memorial Auditorium, 399 McCallie Ave. The club’s Holiday Spectacular begins at 7 p.m., with WTVC News Channel 9’s Greg Funderburg as emcee.

As is tradition, the Music Club brings a renowned organist to town to perform on the historic Austin organ in the auditorium, which CMC members restored to its original grandeur. Dr. Patrick Scott of Memphis will be the featured organist for this Holiday Spectacular.

Scott is new director

of music at Grace-St. Luke’s Church in Memphis, previously serving as organist and associate choirmaster for 19 years at Cathedral of St. Philip in Atlanta.

A native of Picayune, Mississippi, he holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in organ performance, Master of Music in organ performance and sacred music from the University of Texas at Austin, and Bachelor of Music in organ performance from Birmingham-Southern College.

In addition to Scott’s pieces, the 60-member UTC Symphony Orchestra, the UTC Chattanooga Singers and Chamber Singers will also perform in what may be the largest holiday program presented by the music club to date. The singers will be directed by Dr. Kevin Ford.

The orchestra, conducted by Sandy Morris, is made up of UTC music majors and nonmajors, music faculty members, area music educators and other talented amateur and professional musicians from the region.

During the concert, the CMC will honor the memory of Dr. Glenn Draper, one of its members who led the choral groups at UTC for 36 years and was former choral director at First Presbyterian Church.

The concert is free and nonticketed, however donations will be accepted to hep fund the ongoing maintenance of the Austin organ.

PHOTO BY DR. KEVIN FORD The Chattanooga Singers will be one of three performing arts organizations joining guest organist Dr. Patrick Scott at the annual Holiday Spectacular sponsored by Chattanooga Music Club.