Seeking Choir Members

North Texas Concert Choir seeking to grow members

North Texas Concert Choir in December 2017. Courtesy photo.

The North Texas Concert Choir (NTCC) in Grayson County once were growing at a rapid pace and even expanded their rehearsals to the more spacious Grayson College. However, COVID depleted attendance and the group is trying to ramp back up for a new season.

The Covenant Presbyterian Church at 322 Pecan Street in Sherman has agreed to let the organization rent the facilities for rehearsals. This was the location prior to the surge in choir members.

“We’d like to get back up to the 50 member level that we had before,” said Dale Rideout of Howe who is a member of the choir. “We’re looking for anyone who likes to sing. It would help if they knew how to read music because most of us do.”

The group separates into parts and some as many as eight parts. But most are basic full part harmony. NTCC has a number of well-trained voices, but many of them are amateurs—which doesn’t mean unskilled; but rather, they do it for the love of it.

“We have several that are traveling around 50 miles to sing with us. We have quite a few down in McKinney,” said Rideout.

Those who are interested in singing can come to an audition this Thursday, Feb. 3. They won’t have to sing in front of the group but will audition in a private room with the director. The director will then decide which place would be best suited for them.

The choir recently performed their Christmas program at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Sherman and First Baptist Church of Bonham. Their rehearsals took place at The Renaissance in Sherman.

Rideout, a Howe City Council member has been with the chorus for approximately 10 years which is about half as long as the chorus has existed.

“I’ve been with them long enough that I’m with my fourth director now,” said Rideout.

Since the Fall of 2017, the North Texas Concert Choir has been under the direction of Barbara Hanning who brings to the choir many years of distinguished experience in choral direction. Prior to retirement, she served at McKinney High School for more than three decades. Her choirs were selected “most outstanding choir” at three festivals and were consistently recognized for sweepstakes at the Texas UIL Concert and Sightreading.

Hanning also conducted the North Texas Civic Chorus, which was organized under the auspices of Collin College.

Dylan Guthrie serves as accompanist. Guthrie has been playing piano since 2005 at the age of 11. He is a 2017 Austin College graduate with a B.A. in music.

Conservative Men’s Club of Texoma hosting debates for Grayson County GOP primary races

Reggie Smith Texas Dist. 62 (incumbent) Shelley Luther Texas Dist. 62 Rep (challenger) Bill Magers Grayson County Judge (incumbent) Bruce Dawsey Grayson County Judge (challenger)

Beginning Thursday and running for a week, a group named The Conservative Men’s Club of Texoma will host a multitude of debates to be held at the Grayson County Courthouse’s west wing on the second floor. There will be three debates on Thursday, Feb. 3, three debates on Monday, Feb. 7, and two final debates on Thursday, Feb. 10. The doors open for each evening at 6:30 pm with debates beginning at 7:30 pm.

The first set of debates on Thursday will include County Court at Law Place 2 candidates Rick Dunn, Venessa V. Vice, and Hillary Luckett Clark. Following them will be Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2 candidates David Scott Hawley and Michael J. Springer. The final debate of the evening will be for Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4 candidates Rita G. Noel (incumbent) and Christina Fox.

On Monday, Feb. 7 Grayson County Judge candidates will square off with incumbent Bill Magers and challenger Bruce Dawsey. Following that will be Grayson County Commissioner, Precinct 2 candidates Jeff Austin, Art Arthur, and E.V. Harlan. The finale of the evening will be between Grayson County Commissioner, Precinct 4 candidates Bart Lawrence (incumbent) and Mark Hardenburg.

The final debate on Thursday, Feb. 10 will be for U.S. Congressional District 4 seat including incumbent Pat Fallon and challengers John E. Harper and Dan Thomas. The final debate of the series will follow for the seat of Texas State Representative, District 62 between Reggie Smith (incumbent) and Shelley Luther.

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