Ms. Virginia Senior America 2017 is fourth Viewpoints speaker
Dr. Cheryl Brown Davis of Heathsville has devoted her life to music education
With 60+ years devoted to music – singing, studying and teaching it, Cheryl Brown Davis, PhD., of Heathsville, could talk for hours on the subject. However, she will sing and invite others to sing along for her turn as RWC’s next Viewpoints Speaker on June 4.
“I want my talk to be very interactive and with the audience playing a part in it, rather than just me performing,” Davis said. “I will hand out some song sheets with music we grew up with in the ‘50s that they don’t teach in schools anymore. These will be songs they may remember from the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts.”
Additionally, Davis will play the piano and sing while American composer Celeste Gates will play the clarinet and perform three songs that capture the poetry of Victorian poet James Whitcomb Riley. Riley’s famous works include “Little Orphant Annie” (that became “Little Orphan Annie”) and “The Raggedy Man” (which inspired the Raggedy Ann doll).
Then, Davis and three of her best girlfriends will sing two songs a cappella in a quartet.
“I grew up as a musician because my mother made me take piano lessons and I played for the church,” Davis said. “I never thought when I was 20 and fresh out of college that this is where my life would go.”
Davis received a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Madison College, a Master of Music in vocal performance and choral conducting from The University of Michigan and a Doctor of Education degree from the University of Virginia in curriculum and instruction.
She taught music to all grades from elementary through college over the years in Virginia, Michigan and North Dakota. After her husband retired in 2007, Davis returned to Newport News and taught at Riverside Elementary School until her retirement in 2011.
Though retired, Davis remains active in the community – just last year she was crowned Ms. Virginia Senior America 2017. She also conducts the annual Messiah “Sing-In” each December at Kilmarnock United Methodist Church and is the Artistic Director of the Chesapeake Chorale. Davis holds leadership positions among numerous social and service fraternities, sororities and other organizations.
Her talk is the last in this year’s series and will be held at 11 a.m. in the Chesapeake Center Auditorium on RWC’s campus, 132 Lancaster Dr., Irvington. Reservations for the June 4 event begin May 21 by calling RWC at 438-4000. Attendees are invited to remain after the presentation for a complimentary lunch. RWC honors reservations in the order received and maintains a waiting list.
