The Van Wert County Courthouse

Friday, Mar. 29, 2024

Local musicians shine in concert

A few of you had the pleasure of joining me in enjoying a local musician, Jake Wilder, in his music recital, “Classical Meets Jazz.”  It was this past Sunday at First Presbyterian Church in Van Wert. Jake is a tenor vocalist and was joined by several other local musicians to provide a wonderful afternoon of first class music.

The first half featured the most difficult of performance literature for a tenor to sing and Jake pulled it off extremely well, providing both power and brilliance. Jake recently finished his studies at Bowling Green State University and has since settled in his hometown area and has been sharing his talents locally.

Joining Jake on the classical side was his accompanist, Annette Hoverman (ahem), and then on the jazz side of the program, he was joined by Weston Thompson on sax, Rod Sroufe on bass, and David Bradford on drums. They each played eloquently and created a tight ensemble for the jazz portion, which also included some Broadway.

Jake also shared the stage with young Michaella Johnson, a student of his for several years. She has developed into a polished performer and strong singer. A BGSU colleague of Jake’s, Karrie Lester, mesmerized the audience with her rendition of Gershwin’s “Summertime” with tasteful accompaniment from Jake on the piano.

I was glad I attended and even more pleased that a local musician went away for professional training and returned to share his talent with us. He also enlisted the talents of other fine local musicians and raised the bar for everyone. Bravo to Jake Wilder and bravo to the Presbyterian Church for hosting this concert!  What a beautiful setting.

Jake would have been one of our very first musicians to perform on the Van Wert County Foundation’s Young Artist Recital back in 2003. There have been many fine musicians who have performed on our recitals, but it’s especially pleasing when they return to Van Wert and give back to the community. It is evidence of money and time well spent. I hope many others would consider doing the same: Learn, earn, return with their talents.

The start of the new Niswonger Performing Arts Center season is just around the corner. Kicking off the new season is a young country singer, Scotty McCreery. This young man, just 22 years old, isn’t that far removed from his hometown of Garner, North Carolina, where he sang in his elementary school programs, high school and church choirs and even as Conrad Birdie in his high school musical, Bye, Bye Birdie.

In May 2011, he was bagging groceries at his local supermarket when he auditioned for the “American Idol” television program.  On May 25, 2011, he took the country by storm, winning “American Idol” on national TV. He was just 17 years old and had to be accompanied by his parents while auditioning. I found it interesting that he enjoyed playing baseball and is still a big fan. He also is a professed Christian and even turned down a prime singing gig because it conflicted with a church camp he wanted to attend.

Tickets are going very quickly for McCreery’s 7:30 p.m. performance at the Niswonger on Sunday, September 20.  If you want to catch this phenom from Garner, North Carolina, you’d better hurry and get your tickets.  September 20 will be here soon!

Where will the next “American Idol” winner come from: Garner, North Carolina, or maybe Van Wert, Ohio?

FINÉ.

POSTED: 08/19/15 at 7:12 am. FILED UNDER: News