Nathan & Vicki Corbitt '
* ^
Working Toward
Goals They’ve Set
For Themselves
Everyone in the Valley is
always happy to hear when
one of our boys or girls have
done well in their chosen field
of endeavor This time we are
cfcubly happy for the following
sfory is about a young couple
t*ho were high school
Jfeethearts, went on to
liege and married while
there and are raising their
family while he continues his
education. Nathan and Vicki
Crotts Corbitt.
Nathan is the son of the Rev.
and Mrs. John Corbitt of
Ridgecrest and Vicki is the
daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
Russell Crotts, former
residents of Black Mountain.
The following story ap
peared recently in the Citizen
& Georgian, MoMontezuma,
Ga. Where he was formerly
Band Director:
NATHAN CORBITT,
FORMER MONTEZUMA
MUSIC DIRECTOR
ENJOYS COMPOSING
by Lisa Booth
When Nathan Corbitt came
to Montezuma as Macon
County Band Director he
threw a magic note into the
music life of the townspeople.
He began by whipping the
Macon County Band into
shape. He devised numerous
precision drills, added a
flutter of flaggirls, rigged a
rifle corp and drum
majorette, and suddenly the
r “MCHS Marching Red
Machine” was in working
order. The band brought the
football fans to their feet with
its spectacular half-times and
precisioned sound. For three
years, Nathan led his high
strutting band through
parades, concerts, and
football programs, and also
took on a part-time position as
Minister of Music at the First
Baptist Church of Montezuma.
By 1974, Nathan had at
tained the title of Minister of
Youth and Music at the First
Baptist Church and began
working there fulltime. To the
delight of the church, he
ignited concert after concert
and replenished the spirits of
many who enjoyed worship
through music. Nathan
presented us with inspiring
programs such as Celebrate
Life, ‘‘Music of the Sacred
Harp”, “The Seven Last
Words”, and “The Nazarene.”
In the summer of 1975,
Nathan felt the need to delve
further into his study of music.
He packed up his wife, Vicki,
andtheir children and headed
to Louisville, Kentucky, where
he enrolled in the Southern
Baptist Theological Seminary.
The responsibilities of a
1 family, classes, studies, and
work might have over
whelmed a person of less
perseverance. Nathan,
however, found he could in
corporate his creativity and
his studies and produce his
own works.
One of Nathan’s most
outstanding achievements has
been the completion of a
children’s illustrated story
and music book.
The book, Nathan says, was
developed as a teacher’s aid in
the instruction of children’s
sBible Stories. The structure of
the book is based on the
learning theory of “Look to
Understand, Listen to Un
derstand, and Sing to Un
' derstand.”
Nathan worked on the 60
page volume for about twi)
months “mainly on Satur
days," and handprinted each
page. He then hired an artist
to illustrate each story and its
song. The illustrations consist
of twelve beautifully colored
water color and ink paintings.
Each picture complements its
story and song by adding
bright visual stimulation.
The book opens with the
st o-y of Adam and Eve and is
followed by a song entitled
“God Made the Earth.” The
story is completed with a
! dazzling scene of the animals
in the Garden of Eden. In the
foreground are the silhouettes
of Adam and Eve. “We
decided to use the silhouettes
because we wanted to remain
objective in our presentation
of the First Couple to boys and
girls. There is no right or
wrong race or color for the
couple, so we chose to leave
this to the childrens
imagination.’’
The books highlights the
stories children learn in
Sunday School. Other selec
tions inci ude “Noah and the
Animals, ’ “The Coat of Many
Colors,” and “Daniel and
the Lions.”
After completion of the
book, Nathan sent it to
Lillenais Publishing Company
of Kansas City, Missouri.
They agreed to publish it in
part, and have assumed rights
over six of the songs. They are
keeping the text on file for
possible future publication in
its entirety.
Nathan’s most recent en
deavoris the composition of an
opera entitled “Metamor
phosis: the Conversion of
Saul.” The opera is set in one
act and requires eleven ac
tors, an onstage and an off
stage chorus, and an or
chestra. The story follows
Saul, a man of Tarsus, his
persecution of the Christians,
his blinding by the L ord, and
the subsequent conversion of
his soul to Christianity.
, Nathan wrote the libretto
and is composing'all of the
music for this opera. Much of
the music is based on the
Schonberg technique of
composition with twelve
tones. The opera will be
performed publicly in April
1977 and is Nathan’s com
position thesis.
Nathan performed in a
trumpet recital. November 18
of this year. The piece, which
he composed, is entitled
“Hidden Chorale- Real Fugue
in Almost Jazz Style.”
Aside from his composition
and study, Nathan spends
time as the Minister of Youth
and Music at the First Baptist
Church of Jeffersonville,
Indiana.
Vicki Corbitt takes her
husband’s activities in stride.
She looks forward to the time
when hard work and con
centrated efforts will reap
benefits and allow them a
little time for relaxation. She
confides that it isn’t easy but
she is willing to wait.
Vicki pursues her own in
terests as an Administrative
Assistant in a Government
Bonding Institution of Pretrial
Services. She enjoys her work.
She also stays busy as the
mother of two active children,
Heather and Zachary. Both
the children seem to show a
special interest in music.
When asked how they like
Louisville, the Corbitts ad
mitted that they prefer a
small town atmosphere. They
added that they miss the
hospitality, peacefulness, and
crisp air a small community
offers.
The Corbitt’s future plans
include the reception of a new
baby in February, and
someday settling in a small
town.
Nathan plans to continue his
education in music. He ex
plains that his real interests
lie in the composition on music
dramas and operas.
“...and I would like to get
my Doctorate Degree in
music,” Nathan adds with a
glimmer in his eye. “I tthink
that Dr. Nathan Corbitt has a
nice ring to it, don’t you?”
Our congratulations to
Nathan on his ac
complishments and we agree
Dr. Nathan Corbitt has a nice
ring.
Also Vicki, our hats are off
to you. Few would have the
stamina and courage to do
what you are doing. Just
remind Nathan occasionally -
“Behind every good man is a
better woman."
Best wishes from all the
Valley to all of you.
1
Light Ye Candles
Then he ye glad, good
people,
This night of all the year,
And light up your candles,
For 1 iis star it shineth
* Clear.
— Old English carol
k^ing His praises joyfully for it is
Christmastime! Reverently, we
reflect upon the wonder
of that first Holy night as
we share the hope of tlje
season with our many
friends and neighbors. Good
will to all men is in our
hearts, with special
good wishes and warm
gratitude to
our valued patrons.
McMurray’s Chevrolet Company Inc.
Jtlack Mountain
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Davidson-Burnette Oil Co.
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Williams Bros. Fuel Oil
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