President's Message

March-April 2019

SMAC kicked off its 2019 events with an outstanding concert at Trinity Ecumenical Parish (TEP) on February 13. Roanoke Symphony Orchestra Music Director David Stewart Wiley impressed on the piano, while his wife Leah Marer Wiley, TEP Pastor Philip Bouknight, and his wife, Tara Bouknight, entertained the crowd of 300 with their pitch-perfect harmonies.

Aptly named "For the Love of Music" in honor of Valentine's Day, the program included a selection of crowd-pleasing love songs by Gershwin, Rodgers, Webber, and one composed by Maestro Wiley himself. Judging by the standing ovation and noisy cheers from the audience, I'd say everyone thoroughly enjoyed the program! As one attendee commented on the event survey form, "What’s not to love – fantastic voices and piano playing."

As usual, these events could not happen without the support provided by our Special Events team. Thanks to Joe Yarbrough, Chris Collins, Marty Bowers, Kathy Orth, Susan McSlarrow, Will Nocera and Betsy Ashton for pulling off another terrific event! If you'd like to help out at future events, we'd love to hear from you! No special talent is required.

SMAC made an investment this year in some new LED lights and two condenser microphones that will modernize our equipment and, in some cases, eliminate the need to rent a sound system in support of Lakeside Singers and Lake Players performances. We think you will agree that these are a sound investment as we work to improve the quality of the events we offer to the community.

Looking forward, we have a nice line-up of events this spring. Next up is the Lake Players March 29 production of "Music Through the Decades."  Mark your calendar for the 24th Annual John Faber Memorial Photo Show, which takes place on April 12-14 at Bethlehem United Methodist Church. We invite the community to join us for the Friday night reception and awards ceremony on April 12 at 6:30 p.m. View the beautiful photographs, socialize with neighbors, snack on provided refreshments, and enjoy the singing of "The High Cotton Quartet," a part of the Harmeneers.

SMAC's popular Coffeehouse series returns this spring on April 19 at Downtown Moneta's Celebration Room. In what's sure to be a fun show, the all-female bluegrass band Canned Biskits will play. A second Coffeehouse is scheduled for May 3 featuring the Panini Brothers plus Ken Hitchcock and Sue Halloran. And we're just getting started! For a complete listing of upcoming SMAC events, please see page 3. Barb Nocera  

Barb Nocera

Want to volunteer for SMAC committees? Call Kathy Orth at 297-4819.

The Smith Mountain Arts Council (SMAC), established in 1989, is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization and serves a large geographic area surrounding Smith Mountain Lake.

SMAC is partially funded by the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.