Mastersingers present free concert Feb. 9 as part of Edison Festival of Light

The Fort Myers Symphonic Mastersingers presents its first full-chorus concert of 2020 as a sanctioned event of the Edison Festival of Light.
Artistic director Shannon Arnold leads the 80-voice chorus in another of the imaginative programs that, along with well-loved masterworks, have become the ensemble’s trademark. This concert focuses on noteworthy inventions in history while the Mastersingers perform music written in the years those advances appeared. The program will be performed on Sunday, Feb. 9 at 2 p.m. at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church, 3595 Broadway, Fort Myers. There is no fee for admission as this concert is presented in partnership with St. Michael’s Church for the benefit of the community.
Director Arnold speaks to a program to help celebrate Fort Myers’ most famous citizen. “The importance of Thomas Edison as an inventor inspired this entire program. Life-altering inventions such as the airplane, the internet, and Edison’s incandescent light bulb will be represented through music written at the time of these advancements.” She continues, “Just as inventions have paved the course of history, choral literature has evolved in the same way. We’re excited to portray the history of science and music through a choral time warp experience!” Arnold adds, “We are also thrilled to be able to bring this type of event to our community and as a part of the Edison Festival of Light.”
The listener will indeed be treated to a choral time warp as selections run from Haydn and Beethoven through to modern day composers Michael Dellaira and Abbie Betinis with stops in between for Bruckner and Britten. The choral compositions are as diverse as the inventions being highlighted. Accompaniment for the program will be provided by the group’s masterful collaborative pianist, Janet Carter.
In addition to the adult chorus, winners of the 2019 DeMaster Scholarships, another of the Mastersingers’ community outreach programs, will sing at this event. The DeMaster Scholarship program is in its sixth year and is open to aspiring soloists from 6th through 12th grades. Each April, auditions are held and scholarships for voice lessons are awarded. To date, the organization has distributed nearly $20,000 in scholarships through the program. The 2020 auditions will be held on Saturday, April 25 at St. Hilary’s Episcopal Church in Fort Myers.
Information on how to take part in the DeMaster auditions or other Mastersingers’ community programs, and the group’s concert schedule can be found on the website at www.mastersingersfm.com.