Iowa Wesleyan to showcase musical talent Saturday

MOUNT PLEASANT ? Well-known tenor James Thompson, a native of Mount Pleasant, will perform at ?Remember Wesleyan,? a free event showcasing the music and history of Iowa Wesleyan College. Thompson will present one of the eight musical numbers during the event Saturday. The program begins at 8 p.m. in the Chapel Auditorium on the Iowa Wesleyan campus.

The program will be preceded by a reception in the Howe Activity Center beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Also performing during the program will be Ana Miller, soprano from Mount Pleasant; Dane Barner, baritone, in a duet with event coordinator Lori Wilson, a mezzo soprano; Acappella of Mount Pleasant; Half Past Four quartet; the Iowa Wesleyan College Concert Choir; the Mount Pleasant Chorale, and the First United Methodist Church Choir from Mount Pleasant. The closing number will feature area high school students as part of a combined choir, singing ?The Battle Hymn of the Republic.?

Thompson, who has performed with Simon Estes, is noted as a versatile singer of opera, art song and oratorio repertoire. He made his European debut two years ago at the Asolo (Italy) Song Festival, where he won a fellowship to perform and teach. He has frequently appeared as a young artist on the Simon Estes ?Roots and Wings? tour, a concert series presented throughout Iowa to benefit the Simon Estes Foundation. He is currently a doctor of musical arts candidate at the University of Iowa. He is assistant choral director at City High School in Iowa City and has served on the voice faculty at Cornell College.

Interspersed between musical numbers will be vignettes highlighting the history of Iowa Wesleyan through photos and text.

The program is open to the public. Free tickets are available at Two Rivers Bank locations in Mount Pleasant and Burlington, Casey?s in New London and Brown Shoe Fit in Mount Pleasant.

The event kicks off the Henry County Campaign for Iowa Wesleyan College.