The Alliance for African American Music (AAAM) in Northeast Georgia will host its 28th annual Celebration In Gospel Music at 3pm, Sunday, February 24, at Cornelia United Methodist Church.
The annual gospel concert is traditionally held in February to coincide with the national observance of Black History Month.
This year’s theme is “Sing to the Lord a New Song!”
The Alliance Mass Gospel Choir led by Portia Burns will headline the event. The choir includes singers from Piedmont College, Brenau University, Shady Grove Baptist Church, and The Lee Arrendale Voices of Hope.
There will be special performances by the current Lachicotte-Strickland Scholar at Piedmont College, Nicholas Knox, and the Piedmont College Praise Singers.
Strength through diversity. Unity through song.
The Alliance was formed in 1989 to provide music scholarships and to keep alive the rich cultural heritage of gospel music. The choir performs Spirituals and historic or contemporary evolutions of sacred church music, according to Alliance member Dr. Ann Nicely.
“All are invited to attend and share in what is always a joyful, rafter-raising and soulful celebration.” – Dr. Ann Nicely
Nicely says the AAAM’s mission is to create an event in which the love of music brings people from different backgrounds together. It aims to promote unity, strengthen the multi-cultural community, and build relationships that “will last for generations to come.”
AAAM is a 501(c)3 non-profit. It’s made up of a diverse group of volunteers from a number of local churches and the community. Contributions from local government, businesses, organizations, and individuals help support the group’s mission.
During this year’s concert, the Alliance will honor board member and volunteer John Andrews of Grace-Calvary Episcopal Church in Clarkesville. Nicely says Andrews’ “dedicated involvement over the years has been invaluable to the organization.”
A “rafter-raising and soulful celebration”
Over the years, various places of worship around Habersham County have hosted the event, including Grace-Calvary Episcopal, Shady Grove Baptist, Bethlehem Baptist, Level Grove Baptist and Piedmont College Chapel.
“The wonderful acoustic space at Cornelia United Methodist Church has been the venue for several years now and the AAAM is most grateful to the Rev. Johnny Ray and the church community for their continuing support,” Nicely says.
Cornelia United Methodist Church is located at 275 Wyly Street in Cornelia. There are no advance tickets. The concert is free.
During the program, the Alliance will accept a love offering to support its Lachicotte-Strickland Scholarship. Each year AAAM awards the scholarship to an African American student enrolled as a music major. It was named in memory of the Rev. St. Julian M. Lachicotte of Grace-Calvary Church in Clarkesville and the Rev. Guy Benjamin Strickland of Shady Grove Baptist Church in Cornelia.
Nicely invites the community to attend and “to share in what is always a joyful, rafter-raising and soulful celebration.”
For more information, contact Dr. Nicely at [email protected] or (706) 499-2946.
