Christmas Concert at Trinity UMC to feature two soloists
By Jana E. Pye, Editor, editor@newsandpress.net
Continuing in their long tradition of offering fine music to the community, Trinity United Methodist Church in Darlington is inviting the public to attend their Christmas Concert on Sunday, December 11 during morning worship, with prelude music beginning at 10:40 a.m. Ann Miles, in her role as the new director of music ministries and organist, is happy to share the news of the special two soloists.
“The service will feature my dear friend, Chris Woods of Los Angeles, CA, originally from Florence, S.C.,” said Miles. “Many in the Pee Dee have followed Chris’ career over the past 15+ years and will be excited that he will be sharing his musical gifts in Darlington once again.”
Woods, a nationally accomplished violin artist, promises to be a delight for attendees of the concert. Please see Woods’ full biography below.
The second featured soloist is Rodney Ward on organ, a former student of Miles who is currently pursuing a Masters Master’s of Music degree in organ performance at Appalachian State. Please see Ward’s full biography below.
“Rodney became one of my “adopted” children over the years,” said Miles. “He attended Coastal Carolina University and began studying organ with me as a freshman. He was also my associate organist while I served as organist & choirmaster at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Conway. Rodney has performed in Darlington on several occasions and musical friends in the area are excited to hear him again.”
Both Chris Woods and Rodney Ward will be featured soloists during the prelude, which will begin at 10:40 a.m. on the morning of Sunday December 11. Members of the community are invited to attend the service that will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church in Darlington, located at the corner of Pearl and Dargan Streets. A nursery will be provided.
Chris Woods
Chris Woods began his studies of the violin at the age of four. After attending the North Carolina School of the Arts for high school then graduating from the Manhattan School of Music he moved to Los Angeles, where he was soon to become one of the most sought-after violinists in the city. Though trained in classical music, he learned to play different styles, from rock to hip-hop to electronic to jazz.
He has worked with some of the top artists in the world, including Justin Timberlake, Jessica Simpson, Clay Aiken, Faith Evans, Outkast, Rickie Byers-Beckwith, the Black Eyed Peas, and Dr. Dre. He also is a composer, arranger, and producer, and has written music for his group Sonication, his quartet Quartetto Fantastico, the Hutchins Consort, and MASS Ensemble. He performs around the world, most recently being featured at the prestigious Ortiz Festival in Mexico.
He is concertmaster of the Southeast Symphony and Center Stage Opera, the recipient of numerous awards, and has performed on such shows as American Idol, America’s Got Talent, the Grammys, the American Music Awards, as well as shows on MTV, VHI, NBC, CBS, and has worked as a music consultant for the television shows ER and The Big Bang Theory. He is a member of the Hutchins Consort, which recently toured in Mexico to rave reviews in which he plays the treble violin as one of the few musicians who has mastered its smaller proportions.
He has been featured in two national commercials, one for GE, and one for Weight Watchers, in which he plays violin alongside American Idol winner and Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson. He is well known for his dynamic performing style, technical prowess, and soulful playing.
For more information, please visit www.chriswoodsviolin.com
Rodney Ward
Rodney Ward, a recent graduate of Appalachian State University, has just completed a dual degree in both sacred music and organ performance. A native of South Carolina, Rodney served as Organist for the Saturday mass at St. James Catholic Church from age fourteen until he left for his studies at ASU. He also served as Associate Organist at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church from 2005-2007.
At the age of fifteen, Rodney won First Prize in the Grand Strand Yamaha piano competition. Throughout junior high and high school, he accompanied numerous choirs and vocalists. In the summer of 2006, Rodney visited the Washington, DC area where he performed on organs at St. Paul’s Episcopal – K Street, the Catholic Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul, and at the National Cathedral. In March 2007, he was a featured soloist on organ at the American Church in Paris, France while touring there with a chamber choir from Myrtle Beach, SC. In April of 2009, Rodney was chosen to present a recital on the famous Tannenberg organ in Old Salem, NC.
Rodney is currently pursuing a Master’s of Music degree in organ performance at Appalachian State. Rodney has studied piano and organ for several years and his teachers include Melody Edge, piano and organ and Ann Miles, organ.
He is currently studying with Dr. Joby Bell, Associate Professor of Organ at Appalachian State. Rodney also serves as Organist for First Baptist Church of Lenoir, North Carolina.