Chocolate Affair Offers
Palate-Pleasing Sweets and Music
By Shirley Carley

Whether you crave chocolate, music, drama or dancing, the menu for the Starkville-MSU Symphony Association’s "A Chocolate Affair" Saturday night satisfied the most demanding appetite. Set in the beautifully renovated and expanded Colvard Student Union at Mississippi State University, this first of what will undoubtedly become a traditional event was a feast of beauty to the eyes, ears and taste buds for the almost 300 attendees. Every detail from the decorations to food presentation created a lovely background for the exciting array of musical and dramatic talent offered by Starkville and MSU’s remarkable cast of singers, actors and musicians. The table arrangements where guests were seated for the program were delightfully romantic and colorful. The food tables were a feast of chocolates, candies, cookies and fresh fruit artfully arranged …. the highlight being a fountain where guests dipped marshmallows, cheese, bread, and fruit in the luscious cascading chocolate. Beverage tables offered coffees and spritzers.

In addition to the varied palate of foods, handsomely attired guests were entertained by a delightful program of Broadway love songs performed by the Starkville-MSU Symphony Chorus under the direction of Ted Beverly and accompanied by Lauren Zumwalt. Selections were presented from such favorites as "Sound of Music", "Phantom of the Opera", and "South Pacific". Soloists included Sara Green, Nancy Beverly, and Cindy Prewitt. "The Sweet Flavor of Chopin" featured young Jonathan Feng who gave an extraordinary and thrilling piano exhibition of three Etudes from Chopin’s Opus 25. Feng, 17, is from Starkville and attends the Mississippi School of Math and Science in Columbus.

Following this portion of the program, guests enjoyed the delicious array of foods and beverages and then were treated to another musical presentation featuring MSU Music Department staff and students in "A Voice of Romantic Artistry". Performers included Karen Murphy, pianist, and Dr. Iwao Asakura, baritone, who sang dramatic arias from Pagliacci and Il Barbiere di Siviglia. Dr. Asakura is an assistant professor of voice at MSU. Voice students Bonnie Wimmer, soprano, and Valencia Pleasant, mezzo soprano, sang selections from La Boheme and Carmen.

The concert ended with a comical and fast-paced rendition of "You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown" by thespians from the Starkville Community Theatre. Performers were Lyle Tate, Thomas DeFoe, Madeline Golden, Kris Lee, Gabe Smith, and Marianne Ulmer. Ted Beverly provided the piano accompaniment.

After more sweets and condiments, the guests took to the dance floor for dancing to the energetic music of the MSU Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Dr. Clifton Taylor. Those who didn’t dance did a lot of foot tapping to the great selection of tunes.

The consensus seemed to be that "A Chocolate Affair" was a highlight of the winter season and one it is hoped will be repeated annually. A fund-raiser for the Association which sponsors the Starkville-MSU Symphony Orchestra, the Starkville-MSU Symphony Chorus, and Programs for Children, the evening was a happy combination of cultural fare and practical monetary support for a vibrant and hard-working group of volunteers who help make Starkville a wonderful place to live.

Encore!