Talladega College Choir Concert Review 2005

                                       – Written by Sherry Imswiler, with input from the
                                           concert organizing team

The Talladega College Tour Choir Concert at Genesee Baptist Church on March 18, 2005, was by all accounts a wonderful success. The Choir is to be commended for a professional, inspirational and uplifting performance, under very trying circumstances.

Despite weeks of careful preparation in Rochester and Talladega, the concert almost didn’t take place!  At the last minute, the tour choir’s bus developed mechanical problems in Talladega and missed the departure deadline. Dr. L.G. McLeod, Talladega’s Choir Director, and Genesee’s Pastor Vera Miller arranged (via frantic cell phone communications) for an emergency drive to Atlanta and a plane flight which brought two-thirds of the choir to the church just in time for the concert.

One team member stated, “I really appreciate Rev. Miller helping the team pull things together when it seemed the choir might not get here. I was also impressed with the way Dr. McLeod handled things.  Not only did she help find a way to get here in time for the concert, but she had to choose the right voices to bring on the plane.  It’s a credit to her professionalism that she was able to put on such a great performance with only two-thirds of the choir.”

The musical magic began with Malotte’s “The Lord’s Prayer,” and proceeded through a selection of classical, spiritual and religious pieces which kept the audience alternately sitting spellbound to being moved to rise to its feet. A highlight of the performance was countertenor Prof. Wesley Halliburton, Assistant Choral Director, whose amazing vocal range of three-and-one-fifth octaves brought down the house. The voice arrangements were often electrifying and surprising, as in the delightful rendition of  “Elijah Rock.”  As the concert closed with the song “I Need You To Survive,” the audience held hands and sang along, transported in the moment.

Dr. McLeod’s skills as a choral director combined with the students’ harmonious blend of voices made for a concert of the highest caliber.  The students were gifted, well-rehearsed and poised, and gave of themselves to their music. Getting to know the students after the concert was also a delight.  Said one Genesee Church member, “The students were a pleasure to be around.  They were in great spirits, energetic and obviously enjoyed performing in the choir.  I was impressed with their relationships with the professors; they communicated in a loving and spiritual manner.’’

Truly our church was blessed with a superb musical experience and a great cultural event for the community. The power of music brings us all together in the spirit. We come away from a concert like this one richer in spirit and inspired by the wondrous ways God moves in our souls through the beauty of music.

Talladega Concert pictures

Talladega Concert Journal – in pdf format (if you don’t have Acrobat Reader it can be download at
                                                         http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html).