23-year-old Catawba alumnus directs choir

By Susan Shinn

You’d think a 23-year-old might be intimidated about directing a
choir that’s 100 years old.

There’s a lot to be said for youthful enthusiasm.

Matt Newton, a 2010 graduate of Catawba, took the reins of the
Salisbury-Rowan Choral Society this summer. The society is a
century old this year.

Newton graduated from high school in Raleigh and came to Catawba
as a theater major, but soon found out it wasn’t for him. He saw
the music program begin to bloom when Professor Paul Oakley,
Catawba’s Artist-in-Residence in Music, came on board. Newton
eventually became a sacred music major with a concentration in
voice performance, and sang at First United Church of Christ in
Salisbury for his internship. While there, he served as guest
director for Dennis Jewett.

As a result, Newton became the first student at Catawba to
conduct his own senior recital, directing the Chamber Singers.
“That was, like, one of the coolest experiences I’ve ever had,”
Newton says. Newton was filling in for Jewett this summer when he
heard of the opening at the choral society. He’s adding directing
duties in addition to working full-time at the Rowan County Board
of Elections, teaching voice lessons, and serving as assistant
director at First UCC.