Fred Wilmer
Sharon Foy
The Women’s Club September luncheon is excited to host first tenor, Fred Wilmer, in celebration of the 85th anniversary of the first performance of the musical operetta Porgy and Bess which took place in Boston in September 1935! What better person to sing several of the songs from the famous Gershwin musical than Fred Wilmer, a former first tenor and chorister with the Lyric Opera of Chicago, as well as the Dallas Opera. Mr. Wilmer performed the role of Peter, the Honey Man, in the Lyric’s first ever production of Porgy and Bess and later in the spring 2008 production here in Dallas.
Raised in Mineral Wells, Fred studied vocal performance and pedagogy at Texas Tech University and went on to obtain his master’s degree in vocal performance and choral conducting at UNT in Denton. He worked as adjunct choral director at Paul Quinn College in Dallas, as a secondary choral director in the Dallas Independent School District and was a featured soloist for twelve years with the Fort Worth-based choral organization, Schola Cantorum of Texas. A former music director in several churches, Fred is also a former choral director at Faith Family Academy Charter School in Dallas, where for seven years he taught choral music in grades 6 through 12. Currently, he sings on the praise team and is a frequent soloist at First Baptist Dallas.
In addition to singing selections from Porgy and Bess, Fred will thrill you with his amazing renditions of several other operatic classics and Gospel selections! Accompanying Mr. Wilmer will be Rebecca Bafford, a concert and jazz style pianist, who frequently plays here at the Ranch and around the Metroplex. Don’t miss this delightful presentation that is sure to leave a smile on your face!
Our September charity is the Denton Community Food Center. Because of these extraordinary times, their needs are greater than ever! More information about all our charities are on the website at rrwomensclub.org.
Our September menu includes Chicken Parmesan, pasta bake, Caesar salad, breadsticks, and lava cake for dessert.
Please deposit your $16 check at the Cimarron Sports Center, ladies lounge (white mailbox) or by PayPal from our website rrwomensclub.org. The deadline is Tuesday, September 1.
We look forward to seeing you and enjoying this talented soloist!
Note: Since Labor Day is Monday, September 7, the September luncheon is scheduled Tuesday, September 8.