AMEA 2017 Performing Groups


Trebled Soul Vocal Jazz Ensemble is one of the premiere vocal ensembles at Alabama State University in the Department of Music. Admission is by audition only and open to all students on the campus of ASU. Originating in January 2014 under the direction of Professor Tyrone Hayes, the fourteen (14) member ensemble has performed for former President Bill Clinton, the Alabama Music Education Association Higher Ed Recital (2015) and Lobby Performance (2016), a Black History Concert in Anniston, AL, and a host of other events in the Montgomery area. Please take a moment and visit our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/ASUTrebledSoul/, to become better acquainted with the ensemble.


The Chamber Choir is the premier choral ensemble at Auburn University. Under the direction of Dr. William C. Powell, the group was formed in 2008. Since then, the choir has participated in a performance tour of Verdi’s Requiem in Italy, and they have sung at such landmarks as Carnegie Hall, the Lincoln Center, and Washington National Cathedral. They have also sung for the 2014 southern division convention of the American Choral Directors Association, and the 2010 Alabama Music Educators Association Conference. The Auburn University choral program consists of seven different choirs: Chamber Choir, Conductors’ Chorus, Concert Choir, Gospel Choir, Men’s Chorus, Women’s Chorus, and University Singers (show choir). Throughout its history, members of the Auburn University Choirs have performed in various parts of the United States, Europe, and Russia. They have produced recordings, and have appeared on national television, radio, and other mass media. Collectively, the AU Choirs perform approximately fifty concerts each year, reaching thousands of audience members.


The Sixth Grade Choir is the youngest performing ensemble at Berry Middle School. Under the direction of Mrs. Rachel Smith, they received the Distinguished Musicianship Award at the State Choral Performance Assessment for all Superior ratings the past two years. The choir also has a history of receiving Superior and Excellent ratings at festivals in Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana. While in this choir, the students participate in a variety of concerts, including Winter and Spring Concerts, a Veteran’s Day Program, and a Multicultural Day Program. This year, the choir performed for our elementary feeder schools, and visited with future choir students to promote the choral program at Berry. Many of these students were also cast in Berry’s fall production of Dear Edwina, Jr. Later this spring, several members of the Berry Choral Department will be touring Nashville, TN to perform and see the sights of Music City!


Bob Jones High School was founded in 1974 as a part of the Madison County School system. Madison had a population of just over 3,000 at the time. By 1989, its population had grown to 14,000. It was this year that band director Doyle Thornton (now retired) took over the band program with only 17 active members. As the greater Madison area began to blossom, so did the Bob Jones High School Band program. By the time Madison City Schools added a second high school in 2012, the enrollment in the program was well over 200 members. The band has received numerous awards and decorations, including concert and overall grand champion of Fiesta-Val, 3-time Outback Bowl Grand Champion, Field Show USA Grand Champion, and superior ratings at Music Performance Assessment 15 out of the last 16 years. Upon the retirement of director Doyle Thornton in 2015 at 26 years at Bob Jones, assistant director Leigh Thomas assumed the position of Director of Bands. She is in her fifth year of teaching at Bob Jones High School and second year as director of bands. Assistant Director Kevin Smart is in his second year of teaching at Bob Jones. The program consists of two concert ensembles, two jazz bands, a football marching band, competition marching band, percussion ensemble, indoor drumline, winter guard, dance team, and several chamber ensembles. Students in the Bob Jones High School Band Program consistently receive multiple fine art and academic scholarships, and many participate in college marching and concert bands throughout the country. Principal of Bob Jones High School is Mrs. Sylvia Lambert. Superintendent of Madison City Schools is Dr. Dee O. Fowler.


44 October/November 2016


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64