Event Date:  August 10, 2008

AREA TENOR

AT

HISTORIC PEACE CHURCH

Christyan Seay will be at Historic Peace Church on Sunday,  August 12, 2007 at  3p.m.  Mr. Seay will be accompanied by Mr. William Ingraham. The program entitled: “Spirit Song: A Sacred Recital” will consist of sacred vocal selections composed by G.F. Handel, W.A. Mozart, and J.S. Bach as well as hymn arrangements by various composers and selections from “The Sacred Concerts” of Duke Ellington” 

Christyan Seay is a graduate of the Pennsylvania State University and a resident of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.   He has studied with Dr. Anthony Leach of State College and Dr. Thomas Houser of New Holland, PA while coaching with noted vocal coaches in the central Pennsylvania and Philadelphia areas.   Active in recital, oratorio and opera, Mr. Seay has performed extensively throughout central Pennsylvania and abroad, including performances at the Whitaker Center for Science & the Arts (Sunoco Theater), Fulton Theater (Lancaster), Weill Recital Hall in New York City and in Europe singing contemporary operatic works, Negro Spirituals, African-American Gospel and excerpts from Porgy & Bess where his travels have taken him to many prestigious venues in Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic.    He has performed with several regional orchestras including the Harrisburg and Lancaster Symphony Orchestras and has performed chamber music with such ensembles as the Eaken Trio and has collaborated with several instrumentalists.    Mr. Seay has made numerous appearances as oratorio soloist performing the works of Handel, Bach, Mozart, Vivaldi, Beethoven, Haydn and Rossini.   He was the tenor soloist in the central Pennsylvania “Rolling [Mozart] Requiem” to commemorate the First Anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy and has appeared with renowned organist Diane Bish where he performed two hymn settings arranged and accompanied by Ms. Bish.   Mr. Seay has appeared in principal roles with regional opera companies including the Harrisburg Opera Association, Lancaster Opera Company, the Pennsylvania Academy of Music Opera Workshop, the Municipal Opera Company of Baltimore (MD) and the Delaware Valley Opera Company and Concert Operetta Theater of Philadelphia.   Among his accomplishments, he was awarded “Honorable Mention” as a finalist in the 1994 Bel Canto Foundation National Opera Competition and is a three-time recipient of the Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts Grant Award for which is has coordinated musical presentations entitled – “Ride The Chariot: Music of African American Composers.”    During this past Spring, Mr. Seay took part in the “4 Tenors” concert at the Forum Auditorium sponsored by The Wednesday Club.   He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Capital Area Music Association (CAMA) and the Harrisburg Opera Association

William Ingraham is known throughout central Pennsylvania as a very capable and versatile musician having performed in many musical genres during his career.   He currently serves as organist/pianist at the First United Methodist Church in Mechanicsburg as well as organist at the Otterbein United Methodist Church in Boiling Springs.   Mr. Ingraham is sought after as accompanist for many vocalists and instrumentalists in the region.   He has maintained affiliations with several musical organizations including the Susquehanna Chorale and Lebanon Valley Alumni Chorale.   He is frequently called upon to perform for productions given by Theater Harrisburg, Capital Dinner Theater, Allenberry Playhouse and The Wednesday Club for the Performing Arts.   He is employed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Social Security Administration.

The concert is free to the public. No reservations are required; however, seating is limited to 225 people. Peace Church is a 208 year old limestone sanctuary located on the corner of St. John’s Church and Trindle Roads near Camp Hill. It is maintained as a museum by the Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission and is open on Sunday Afternoons from June through September for free tours and cultural events. Parking is available in the office lot directly across St. John’s Church Road; handicapped parking is available behind the Resource Center (formerly the Gift Shop). For more information contact 717-422-5486