2023 – Christmas Concert

2023 – Spring Concert

2022 – Christmas Concert

This year’s Christmas concerts will be held on Monday, December 5th at 1st Baptist Church, Mount Airy, NC and on Monday, December 12th at 1st Baptist Church, Elkin NC. Both concerts begin at 7:00.

We hope you will join us for a evening of Christmas music.

The VOCE Board of Directors has the duty and responsibility to provide a safe and healthy environment for our rehearsals and performances. We request that all singers and musicians be fully vaccinated for COVID and influenza.

2022 – Christmas Season

2022 – “Broadway Our Way”

Spring Concert — 2020

“Voices from Yesterday”

Monday, April 27, 2020
7:30 pm

Canceled due to corona virus

Highland Park Baptist Church
Mount Airy, NC

Madrigal Dinner — 2019

VOCE presents a merry Madrigal Dinner, an adaption of a Medieval holiday dinner, with Guest Artist, “The Nonesuch Players”. 

Monday, December 2nd & Tuesday, December 3rd

Barn at Heritage Farms
152 Heritage Farm Lane
Dobson, NC 27017

Spring Concert — 2019

Great Awakenings

Monday, April 29th — 7:30 pm.
First Baptist Church, Mount Airy, NC.
Guest artist for this concert — Eric Cook.

Fall Season — 2018

Christmas with Voce and Brass

Monday, December 3rd — 7:30 pm
First Baptist Church
Mount Airy, NC.

Spring Concert — 2018

An Evening of Sacred and Inspirational Music!

Monday, April 30th — 7:30 pm
First Baptist Church
Mount Airy, NC.

Christmas Concert — 2017

Christmas with Friends

Monday, December 4th — 7:00 pm
Highland Park Baptist Church
Mount Airy, NC

Posted on September 7, 2017 by Mount Airy News [br]

VOCE begins Fall Season September 11

Spring Concert — 2017

Music for the Soul: An Evening of Spirituals and Gospel Music

Monday, April 24, 2017 — 7:00 pm
First Baptist Church
Mount Airy, NC

The Spring concert is VOCE’s a popular event in the concert season. Please join Artistic Director Patti Miller Fulk and all members of this extremely talented group of musicians as they perform heartfelt spiritual and gospel selections! Beautiful, melodic and soulful music along will be shared with you on this great night of entertainment!

Christmas Concert — 2016

An Olde World Christmas

Monday, December 12, 2016 — 7:00 pm
Highland Park Baptist Church,
Mount Airy, NC

The Holiday/Christmas concert is VOCE’s most popular event of the concert season. Please join Artistic Director Patti Miller Fulk and all members of this extremely talented group of musicians as they perform “An Olde World Christmas”! Beautiful, melodic and lilting Madrigal music along with more familiar Holiday tunes will be shared with you on this great night of entertainment!

Fall Concert — 2016

Forever Disney

Monday, October 10th, 2016 — 7:00 pm
Andy Griffith Playhouse
Mount Airy, NC

We will sit back and enjoy a night of Americana at it’s best!. VOCE will perform “Forever Disney” as their first concert of the 2016-2017 Season.

It is doubtful that there is anyone more revered in modern time than Walt Disney. His genius spans over decades. Beginning in 1928 with the birth of Mickey Mouse and In 1937 he created his first feature length animated film, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”.

Then came “Mary Poppins” in 1964 winning 13 Academy Awards. The creations associated with the Disney name were endless.

Under the Direction of Master Musician, Patti Miller Fulk, VOCE will perform music Disney created through the years. Along with the Classics, more contemporary works such as Pocahontas, The Lion King and The Little Mermaid will come to life. .

Spring Concert — 2016

From Baroque to Bluegrass

Monday April 25, 2016 — 7:30 pm
Salem Baptist Church
Dobson, NC

Another night of great music filled the air Monday evening in the beautiful Sanctuary of Salem Baptist Church in Dobson, NC. VOCE presented “From Baroque to Bluegrass” as their Spring Concert and last one of this season! Guests included the Surry Central High School Choral Department under the Direction of Angie Smith, Instrumentalists from NC School of the Arts, and a number of extremely talented soloists. Together they brought Vivaldi’s “Gloria” to life during the first part of the concert.

The second half of the program featured VOCE, The Marshall Brothers, George Smith and Greg Jones. This covered the Blue Grass part of the evening’s entertainment.

If you questioned the two completely different styles working successfully on the same program, you were justified in having your doubts. I know I did. However, Patti Miller Fulk not only made it work, but made it work beautifully. Those from the Blue Grass camp were mesmerized by the lilting and melodic “Gloria”. Those from the “Gloria” camp were toe tapping, hand clapping and smiling to the sounds of guitars, ukulele and banjo.

Pauline Hylton did a great job as Mistress of Ceremonies. Adam Rudisill again shared his amazing talents of being able to accompany and acclimate to any situation he is given.

None of this would be possible without the hard work of a very devoted Board of Directors led by Sharon Gates.

Sandy Beam was definitely smiling down on the group he developed in 2002. He would be extremely happy that his legacy continues to provide entertainment for Surry County and surrounding area. He would also be very appreciative of all the hard work and dedication it takes to keep VOCE going. A job that came very easily for him. But he would be most proud of his former student, colleague and dear friend Patti Miller Fulk for maintaining his expectation of Excellence and Quality in the world of fine music, developing her own legacy in the process..

 

Christmas Concert — 2015

Spending the Holidays with Friends Old and New     

Monday, December 21, 2015 — 7:00 pm
Highland Park Baptist Church
Mount Airy, NC

Spring Concert — 2015

Music to Stir Our Hearts

Monday, May 18, 2015 — 7:00 pm
Fellowship Baptist Church
Mount Airy, NC

Please mark your calendars now to make sure you attend VOCE’s Spring Concert.  It will be held on Monday evening, May 18, 2015.  More details to follow!  We’d love to see you there!

The final concert of the 2014-2015 season will be held on Monday evening, May 18 at 7:00 pm at Fellowship Baptist Church in Mount Airy, NC.  The concert will include selections that give us “

Come join us for an evening of wonderful music by our premier choral group in the area!  We would love to have you!

Fall Concert — 2014

VOCE Re-Visits Motown

October 20 — 7:00 p.m
Mount Airy High School Auditorium
Mount Airy, NC

Special Guests — Melva Houston and Jon Hildreth

Spring Concert — 2014

Just Music

Monday, May 5, 2014 — 7:00 pm
First Baptist Church
Mount Airy, NC

Christmas Concert — 2013

Fall Concert — 2013

Spring Concert — 2013

Valentine’s Concert — 2013

The 2013 Christmas Concert was a huge success!  The 6th Grade Chorus from J. S. Gentry Middle School joined Voce for several numbers.  The attendance was great!  Thanks to all for supporting Voce!

Christmas Concert Date Set

December 16, 2013  Mark Your Calendars Now

First Concert of the 2013-2014 Season Announced      

Surry County’s Premiere Choral Ensemble Presents

VOCE Visits Motown!

with Special Guests

Melva Houston & Kevin Jones

Date:  October 28, 2013          Time:  7:00 pm

Location:  Mount Airy High School Auditorium

$10.00

Artistic Director:   Patti Miller Fulk

***********

For Tickets and Information, Contact Mark Gillespie at 336.789.2035

 VOCE Sets First Rehearsal     

from the Mt. Airy News

First performance set for October

 by By Keith Strange Staff Reporter

Music lovers in the area can rest easy, as the area’s best-known vocal ensemble is set to kick off its 2013-2014 concert season, organizers announced this week.

Board member Mark Gillespie says VOCE will be having its first rehearsal of the season on Sept. 9, starting at 7 p.m., at the Scout Hut behind the First Presbyterian Church in Mount Airy. The group will rehearse on Mondays at 7 p.m.  Gillespie says the first rehearsal is open to anyone who would like to participate.

“We welcome anyone who wants to come and try out, whether they’re new or former members,” he said. “If people want to come and audition, we’re open for anything. We’re treating this first rehearsal as sort of a newbie night.  “All former, current and new members are invited to participate,” Gillespie added. “It is not a requirement that you are able to read music or have a classically-trained voice to sing with VOCE. We are looking for the most talented and diverse musicians our area has to offer.”

VOCE was established in 2002 by the late Master Musician Sandy Beam, who died in February 2011.
And once again this year, one of Beam’s students will be leading VOCE.

After Beam’s passing, Patti Miller Fulk assumed the position of VOCE artistic director. Fulk studied with Beam from the first grade until graduation from North Surry High School. She earned her bachelor of arts degree in music from Mars Hill College, and retired as a music teacher in the Surry County schools.
Gillespie said this year’s selections will be more varied than in the past.

“Historically, VOCE has performed mostly classical, sacred and Broadway-type music,” he said. “Fulk has added selections from a wide variety of musical styles to expand and enhance our repertoire. As a result, VOCE had its most successful concert season and largest attendance last year under her direction.”
This year, the ensemble’s first performance will be in October, when the group performs music from Motown featuring Mount Airy resident and internationally-renowned vocalist Melva Houston.

“We are hoping for our most exciting and successful concert season this year,” Gillespie said. “We have the area’s most talented and committed group of musicians, a very active board of directors, increasing support from the community and a diverse collection of music that will appeal to most anyone who attends a performance.”
Anyone interested in becoming a member of the group, or anyone wishing to donate to the non-profit, can call Gillespie at 789-2035.

Reach Keith Strange at kstrange@civitasmedia.com or 719-1929.

The sounds of the season

VOCE sets annual holiday concert                         by By Keith Strange Staff Reporter

A standing-room-only crowd is expected as the community gathers for this year’s holiday favorite: The VOCE Holiday Concert.  This year’s event is set to get under way at 7 p.m., Monday at Central United Methodist Church in Mount Airy, said Director of Publicity Mark Gillespie. “This is something we have been doing since VOCE was formed in 2002, and it is certainly one of our favorite events that we consider a gift to the community,” he said.  This year, the group is planning on sticking to its roots, featuring holiday-themed classical selections as well as Christmas carols, Gillespie said.  “Some of the selections we’ll be performing include O Come All Ye Faithful, Silent Night and We Three Kings,” he said. “But we’ll also be performing some of the selections we’ve performed in the past that have been well-received by the community.”  For a little something different this year, Gillespie said Artistic Director Patti Miller Fulk decided not to bring in outside singers, choosing instead to highlight some local talent.  “We’re giong to be featuring some of VOCE’s premier voices, and I can tell you they’re just awesome,” he said. “I really can’t believe how good they are.  “Sometimes when you put voices together in an ensemble, you may not realize that these are some great vocalists who just happen to be singing as a group,” Gillespie added. “They blend so well that you may not realize how good each one is on its own.”  Some of the soloists this year include Joshua Whitt, Allison Crouse (not the country singer, Gillespie said.) Adam Rudisil and Jenny Talarico, to name a few.  The ensemble will be accompanies by Will Green, a 17-year-old high school junior and piano virtuoso.  “He will be performing a solo during the performance, and since he came on the scene his performance has been wonderfully-received by the community,” Gillespie said.  There is no cost for tickets, but Gillespie said donations will be accepted at the door.  “We ask for $10, but will gratefully accept whatever people can afford,” he said.  And if last year’s performance was any indication, the event will once again be well attended.  “This is our annual gift to the community, and last year it was standing room only,” Gillespie said. “It may be a good idea to come early.”   For more information, contact Gillespie at 336-789-2035.
Reach Keith Strange at kstrange@civitasmedia.com or 719-1929    Mt. Airy News, December 11, 2013

VOCE Spring Concert Features Melva Houston  

by Jessica Johnson, Staff Reporter  Mt. Airy News

Surry County’s VOCE choral ensemble will present its spring concert, “An American Journey,” a collection of American sacred and folk music.   Thursday’s concert begins at 7 pm at the Andy Griffith Playhouse and a second concert will be performed at 7 pm on May 13 at First Baptist Church in Dobson.  A donation of $10 is requested for admission.  Organizer and member Mark Gillespie said the special guest for the concert is “the sensational Melva Houston,” a local resident and internationally-known jazz and blues singer.  Gillespie said the choral ensemble “has performed mostly classical, sacred, and Broadway style music” and even though they will continue select works from each genre, they also include more familiar pieces “in order to entertain a larger audience.”  “There will be something for everyone to enjoy,” said Gillespie.  “An American Journey will include popular songs such as “Danny Boy,” “Star Spangled Banner,” and “Appalachian Celebration.”    Patti Miller Fulk serves as artistic director for VOCE.   Fulk studied from first grade through her senior year in high school under the late Sandy Beam, who founded VOCE in 2002.  She is a graduate of North Surry High School and Mars Hill College, where she received her B.A. Degree in Music Education.   Accompanist Will Green will be a featured performer for the concert.  Green is a sophomore at East Wilkes High School and Gillespie said he “plays as well as any professional.”  This is the final VOCE concert of this season; the new season begins in the Fall.  VOCE typically performs around three concerts per year–a Christmas concert, a winter concert that is usually held in February, and a spring concert, in addition to special performances requested by churches and other groups, according to Gillespie.   The group consists of around 35 members who are mostly from Surry County, but also includes members from surrounding areas, such as Virginia and Wilkes County, Gillespie explained.  “We have some of the most talented musicians and singers in the area in VOCE — the best of the best,” remarked Gillespie.  VOCE is a non-profit organization that depends on the community for financial support.  Gillespie said funds are used to buy music, which can be expensive, as well as money for costumes and performance clothing.  In addition, Gillespie explained that VOCE wants to have “enough money so Patti is not restricted with her ideas.  For example, she might want to bring an orchestra in for a performance in the future.”  VOCE also uses funds to print programs and promotional materials.  Anyone who is interested in becoming a member of the choral ensemble or donating to the organization should contact Mark Gillespie at (336) 789-2035 or e-mail jmarkgillespie@aol.com.  Tickets for the upcoming concerts may be purchased at the door or by contacting Gillespie.

Program for “An American Journey”

                                                                VOCE

                                                 “An American Journey”

The Star Spangled Banner             (Please Stand)                                 Frances Scott Key

Worthy to Be Praised               Melva Houston, Soloist                              Byron J. Smith

Appalachian Celebration                                                             Arranged by Earlene Rentz

                                                 Appalachian Folk Songs

                    (Wildwood Flower, He’s Gone Away, Sourwood Mountain)

Danny Boy                                                                                              Joseph Flummerfelt

I’ll Fly Away                                                                             Albert B. Brumley/Burt Szaba

                    Bill Griffin, Randy Keith, Mike Weddington, Tyler Wilmoth

Piano Instrumental                                                                                                 Will Green

Ye Followers of the Lamb                                                                   Edwin Earle Ferguson

Bright Morning Stars                     Tyler Wilmoth, Soloist                                   Clif Hardin

Oh Come, Angel Band                                                                            William B. Bradbury

Faithful Over a Few Things          Melva Houston, Soloist                          Glenn Burleigh

                                               Artistic Director:  Patti Miller Fulk

                                                     

Voce Presents “Broadway Our Way”  Sunday March 6, 2011 

Andy Griffith Playhouse —–    *****************, Conductor

Tina Wilcox, Cindy Jackson, and Jane Tesh, Accompanists

Program

SWEENY TODD (A Choral Medley)                         SONDHEIM, arr. Beck

LULLABY OF BROADWAY (from “42nd Street”)      WARREN, arr. Chinn

DRIVE                                                                     MCFERRIN

Orren Gailey, Bass-Baritone

I’LL FOLLOW MY SECRET HEART (from “The Conversation Piece”)       COWARD

Shelley McCluskey, Soprano

BROADWAY LEGENDS:  LERNER AND LOWE       arr. Huff

DENTIST (from “Little Shop of Horrors”)                 MENKEN

Will Bryant, Baritone

PIE jESU  (from “Requiem”)                                    WEBBER

Jack Marion, Treble and Peyton Marion, Soprano

SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW (from “The Wizard of Oz”)    arr. Shaw

TO LOVE OUR GOD                                                HAYES

This concert is dedicated to the memory of

Julius A. (Sandy) Beam (April 20, 1934 to February 18, 2011)

SANDY BEAM (Founding Director of VOCE) taught choral music in the Surry County Schools for 35 years.  Beam and his students won numerous awards for their musical excellence.  Beam had been the Director of Music at First Presbyterian Church in Mount Airy for 44 years.  Beam was a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, and a lifetime member of both the American Choral Directors Association and the Music Educators National Conference, a group that honored him with their “Lifetime Achievement Award” through their North Carolina Chapter.  In November 2010, Beam received the Lara Hoggard Award from the North Carolina Chapter of the American Choral Directors Association for distinguished service in the art of Choral Music in North Carolina.  

VOCE’s concert season is sponsored in part, by the Sarah J. and Richard T. Howerton, Jr. Memorial Endowment and a sub-grant from the Grassroots Program of the North Carolina Arts Council through the Surry Arts Council. 

This project received support from the North Carolina Arts Council, an agency of the Department of Cultural Resources, and the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes that a great nation deserves great art. 

North Carolina Arts Council     www.ncarts.org

VOCE

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