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Published Monday, February 14, 2011 in Local

Special

Applauding Charles Wadsworth, right, at his 80th birthday celebration concert in 2009 at Wadsworth Auditorium are guest artists and friends, from left, Chee-Yun, Jeewon Park, Edward Arron, Courtenay Budd and Angela Jones-Reus. (Photo by Bob Shapiro)

Wadsworth ticket prices remain below costs

By News Staff

The Newnan Times-Herald

Advance ticket requests for the March 19 Wadsworth & Friends Concert in Newnan were recently sent to patrons and sponsors, and will be on sale to the general public as of March 1.

General admission tickets are again budget priced at $20 for adults and $15 for students and seniors age 65 and up.

Although the revenue from ticket sales alone continues to fall far below the actual concert costs, the cost of tickets has remained unchanged over the past few years. This would not have been possible without the annual support from concert patrons and sponsors who continue to understand the value of bringing this special event to Newnan and, as a result of their support, make it available to a wide audience, said John White of the Newnan Cultural Arts Commission.

Joining Charles Wadsworth for the March 19 Wadsworth & Friends Concert in Newnan will be singer Sarah Taylor from Newnan along with four internationally acclaimed musicians.

Returning to the Wadsworth Auditorium stage for a second time, following her enthusiastically-applauded 2009 performance, will be flutest Angela Jones-Reus, professor of flute at the University of Georgia in Athens.

Making first appearances for the Newnan audience will be Sebastien Hurtaud, an award-winning French cellist; Bella Hristova, a 26-year-old, Bulgarian-born violinist; and pianist Inon Barnatan, who moved to the United States in 2006 from Tel Aviv.

The Wadsworth & Friends Concert series first evolved when a group of highly dedicated citizens devoted their efforts to renovating Newnan's Municipal Auditorium on Jefferson Street. Toward that effort, they contracted with Newnan famous son, world-famous pianist, accompanist, and concert host Charles Wadsworth to host and bring musically accomplished artists to Newnan to perform in the auditorium.

Since 1993, that effort has resulted in an annual series of spectacular concerts. Understandably, the costs related to bringing Wadsworth and his friends to Newnan for these annual concerts involve significant expense that far exceeds the monies gained from ticket sales.

Year after year, patrons and sponsors have made up the difference, White notes. Year after year, these are the many supporters in the Newnan and Coweta County community who continue to place value on the Charles Wadsworth & Friends Concerts by providing their extra support so this exceptional musical evening can continue.

The March 19 Wadsworth & Friends Concert ticket prices remain well below the average cost for a concert of this quality, White said. Concert patrons have made this possible.

Comments made last year by several of those long-standing patrons bare repeating, White said. They include:

* "Cargill supports this program because it makes for a better community. The Wadsworth Concerts bring New York City talent to a local stage that's just ten-minutes away, and at a ticket price that's miles removed from anything else. Cargill's sponsorship of a Master Class represents our understanding of the importance of arts & culture in this community and for our youth. It's our legacy to them."

-- Bradley Down - Cargill (Down and Cargill have provided full sponsorship support of one of the two student Master Classes related to the concert series.)

* William Banks, long-time friend and strong supporter of Charles Wadsworth and the concerts he's brought to Newnan says, "It's extraordinary to have music of that quality brought to Newnan and for people here to have the opportunity of listening to music performed by the very same artists that play in many of the world's largest and finest concert halls. There is absolutely no compromise with artistic quality. Charles has been one of this country's most effective individuals when it's come to popularizing chamber music -- with both his skills as a musician and his suburb skills as a host. It's always been my pleasure to support what he does and what he's brought to Newnan."

* Susie and Jimmy Thomasson have been patrons and supporters of the Wadsworth Concert series since its inception. They wanted to be quoted together and said, "First off, we both knew Charles, watched him grow up, and been thrilled see him do so many things. He was nurtured here in Newnan, and we're humbled by his achievements. It's been our pleasure to support Charles and the concerts and we've enjoyed them immensely. When we've been unable to attend, we've shared our tickets with others and we've always encouraged everyone to attend."

* "That's (music) my thing! Music has meant so much to me in my life and I think everybody should have the opportunity to hear the quality of music that the Wadsworth & Friends Concerts bring to our community . especially young people. That's just the gist of it. It's a wonderful an educational event and I'm glad to support it."

-- Charlotte Harvey

* Steve Mader of SouthTowne is a consistent supporter of many charitable and cultural events and says, "I do get involved in some charitable events and very few of my dollars go outside Coweta County. I feel strongly about supporting local events in Newnan and the county. The Wadsworth concerts mean that our people here can jump in a car and, with a very short drive, attend something that they'd have to drive one hour to attend in Atlanta. They'd pay far, far more there than they do here to see and hear something of no better quality."

* Long-time patron and retired Newnan banker Harold Hammond stated, "For so many, many years, this kind of thing was lacking in our community. Then, here come these concerts from a local kid that's gone on to do so many fantastic things in the musical world. He is, in a way, like 'family' and I feel that it's my civic duty to support this concert program. Aside from all that, I think these annual concerts are, for me, the greatest things that come to Newnan, I personally enjoy them immensely, and I look forward to them annually.

Tickets for the concert will be available, effective March 1 at Scott's Book Store on the Court Square, Morgan's Jewelers at Ashley Park, and Bank of Coweta at Thomas Crossroads and are budget priced at $20 for adults and $15 for students and seniors 65 and up. Contact J. N. White (770-253-1959) for information regarding the concert's patron and sponsor programs.