Christmas Holiday Traditions

Our family holiday tradition has always included attending the Spelman and Morehouse College Glee Clubs Christmas extravaganza. This year I deviated and, by special invitation, attended the program presented by Tuskegee University's Golden Voices Concert Choir. The director, Dr. Wayne A. Barr, was brilliant, the musicians exceptionally gifted, the soloists represented God's gifts of musical excellence, and the musical selections varied and difficult in execution. The Adeste Fideles variations played by Dr. Barr ended with a prelude and fugue type thing at the end. Had I not mistaken Dr. Barr for one of his brilliant students, I would have inquired about the 'variations', as one musician to another. And the pianist, Lynda Garcia was precise and, like so many musicians, operates in a well-deserved world of her own.


The Christmas selections from Handel's Messiah reminded me of the years that my wonderful parents took us to hear the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, under the direction of the late, great Robert Shaw. The young participants from Tuskegee University were on point, confident and had expressed presence. You can't buy that.



Years ago my grandmother started attending the Spelman-Morehouse concerts dating back to Dr. Wendell Whalum. My aunt took me to Spelman events throughout childhood. Later my uncle, who took my children and myself on a tour of Tuskegee University when the children were little and who sang in the Morehouse College Glee Club, met the woman who would become his wife, a member of Spelman College's Glee Club. Their youngest daughter continued the tradition as a member of Spelman's Glee Club, and my children were able to partake of her performances as well.

Make a connection this holiday season with someone. For what are we without our traditions? Peace!