Walters State Chamber Choir Performs at Christ Church
March 7, 2024
Choir Completes Spring Break Tour
The Walters State Chamber Choir made its own history while performing in a very historic
place.
On March 3, the group was featured during the morning service at the Christ Church
in Alexandria, Virginia. The church counts George Washington as one of its founding
members. The choir enriched its own history for being the college’s choir to go on
a three-state tour. Prior to the Sunday performance, the choir performed in Charlotte,
North Carolina, and in Richmond, Virginia.
Dr. Elissa Keck Hodge, director of the college’s program, and Clay Ogelsby, instructor
and choir director, both toured with choirs while undergraduate students. They felt
their students deserved the same experience.
“While this trip is relatively short, the stops enhanced the curriculum and gave students
new experiences,” said Ogelsby. “Many of our choir members have never seen a big city.
This trip will give time to explore in both Richmond and Washington. This will also
be the first time many perform in front of a group of strangers. Our home audiences
usually include parents, relatives and friends.”
The director said students may feel less anxiety performing for a group of strangers.
“Receiving praise from people you don’t know is a very different feeling,” Ogelsby
said. “Singers know they have earned the applause whereas a home audience is obligated
to applaud.”
The Walters State Choir has performed at many festivals and special events. The choir has appeared at Carnegie Hall by invitation. This tour was the logical next step.
The group performed two movements from Handel’s Messiah. This music will also be performed on April 30 in Morristown. That concert will be at 7 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Morristown and will include the Morristown West High School choir.