Wendell P. Whalum Community Chorus

Spring Concert

2010

The concert was held on Sunday, April 25, 2010 at the Martin Luther King, Jr. International Chapel at 7:00p.m. The Community Chorus was founded by Dr. Wendell P. Whalum in 1966. The original purpose of the chorus was to provide music for the commencement of the Atlanta University Summer School. From the yearly success of the chorus Dr. Whalum took the opportunity to see if this could be an ongoing choral event. The chorus was originally named the Atlanta University Community Chorus. It remained so until after the passing of Dr. Whalum in 1985. After his passing Dr. David Morrow took the directoral duties of the chorus and from his urging renamed the chorus after his mentor.
Dr. David Morrow has had and extensive career in choral music. He has lectured, taught and performed with Morehouse Glee Club throughout the United States and on the world stage. With his leadership the chorus performed at the 30th anniversary of the Brazeal Dennard Choral Ensemble in Detroit, and the R. Nathaniel Dett 125th Birthday Celebration and Choral Festival in Chattanooga.

Descriptive:

The chorus is made up of 50 members throughout the metro area who enjoy singing. The concert was held in the King Chapel Auditorium. The seating and accoustics of this facility has been said by members of the musical community to be one of the finest in Atlanta.

Analytic:

The program consisted of a diversity of music from classical to jazz and spirituals to gospel.
The program was divided into four sections. The first consisting of contemporary and classical choral works by Gerhard Krapf: Awake My Heart With Gladness; Ralph Manuel's: Alleluia; and Adrian Ford's composition: Who Is He. The second section were spirituals; In Dat Great Giddin' Up Mo'nin' arr. by Rosephanye Powell and I Want To Die Easy: by Roland Carter. The third section was Hymn of Our Time by John Ness Beck and Hallelujah To The Highest Praise by Anthony Pattin. The last section and piece was Ellintonia a jazz composition of the music of Duke Ellington
I have been a member of this organization almost from the beginning. I've learned from Dr. Whalum and Dr. Morrow the inportance of diversity to keep an audience involved. I try to teach my students music that they can play based on their abilty and music that is interesting whether it be classical or rock. When comparing my style ot the selections presented, I try to incorporate these elements with my students. I can definitely draw relationships to those elements in the Daniel Pink whereas Design would be the types of music chosen, symphony would be the connection of the music to the program. Drama is created by the lyrics and solo in "I Want To Die Easy" emphathy in the prayerful tune and lyrics from Ecclesiastes:Chapter3 and play which draws the audience into the jazzy tunes of Duke Ellington.

Reflective:

Listening to this or any concert should make us aware of what we strive for when we perform with others or conduct our groups. In this concert Dr. Morrow wants us to look up and watch him and follow him, be mindful of our diction which is crucial when people are listening to the words we say. An audience can hear an entire diffferent phrase by not placing a consonant at the end of a word. As for my students I want them to be able to listen to each other and to be able to hear correct intonation and a good sound not just from their own playing but from the group as a whole.
Throughout the performance the one aspect that I brought away from the concert was unity in sound. I guess that would be symphony. I want the students to sound as a unit when they perform. As for Play: I want them to enjoy the music they are performing.

Question:

1. How long have you been singing
2 When did start to sing
3. How do you choose your music
4. How do you write music
5. Do you play an instrument
6. How long did it take you to learn how to sing
7. Does you whole family sing
8. Where did you go to school
9. Who taught you how to conduct
10. What is a spiritual
11. What is an anthem
12. Who was Duke Ellington
13. Where did he go to school
14. Does you group play with instruments
15. Are the members of the choir professionals
16. What is your favorite music
17. Who is you favorite composer
18. How can I learn how to sing like that
19 Do you perform at schools
20. Do you perform as churhes.