The artists

will begin with a section of early 20th century songs from composers such

as Haydn Wood and Ernest Charles, followed by selected old American songs

arranged by Aaron Copland, as well as Appalachian songs of other composers.

During the

second half of the program, songs from the "father of American operetta,"

Sigmund Romberg, will be performed. The program will close with familiar

tunes from George Gershwin's "Porgy and Bess."

Bill Killmeier

grew up in Marietta and now resides in Newnan. After graduating from Westminster

Choir College in Princeton, N.J., he was selected as soloist and member

of The United States Army Band and Chorus (Pershing's Own) in Washington,

D.C. After his enlistment in the U.S. Army, Killmeier continued his singing

career in Germany, where he sang for nearly ten years as a full-time opera

house soloist in various theaters. During that time he performed over

50 leading operatic roles.

Killmeier is

the coauthor of "Auditioning in the 21st Century," an essential

handbook for those auditioning for and working in the German-speaking

theater "fest" system.

Pianist Rick

Massengale has a Masters of Performance degree from Georgia State University

and is director of music at Fayetteville First United Methodist Church.

He has been playing professionally for 30 years, has composed extensively

and has released a CD of original piano works. In addition to this, Massengale

is much in demand as a jazz pianist and is half of the popular 'Those

Two Guys' duo that performs weekly at Augustino's Restaurant in Peachtree

City.

Soprano vocalist

Cynthia Van Wert was born in Nazareth, raised in Israel and is the daughter

of Baptist Missionaries. After moving to the United States, she earned

her Bachelor of Music degree in vocal performance at Eastern Kentucky

University and her Master's of Music in vocal performance at the University

of Tennessee in Knoxville.

While at the

University of Tennessee, Van Wert was awarded the Mary Costa Opera Scholarship

and was chosen to be an apprentice with the Knoxville Opera Company. She

was a regional finalist in the Metropolitan Opera audition competition

and the winner of the UT Concerto competition. Her solo performance experience

includes opera, oratorio, musical theatre and outdoor drama, as well as

choral and recitals. A full-time mother of two, Van Wert currently resides

in Fayette County where she has lived for 11 years. She continues to perform

and teaches voice privately.

Admission to

the concert is free, however, an offering for the artists will be taken

during the intermission.

First Presbyterian

is at 206 Willowbend Rd., across from the city hall/library complex in

Peachtree City. For more information, call 770-487-7757.

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