Cornelia United Methodist Church welcomed the Celebration of African American Music on Sunday.
On Sunday, February 21st, the Alliance for African American Music in Northeast Georgia held its twenty-fifth annual concert. It was a marvelous afternoon of music and art held in the sanctuary of Cornelia United Methodist Church. The Alliance Board Members were all in attendance: Ann Nicely, Chairperson, Amy Bell, John Andrews, Vanessa Burns, Andrea Harper, Stella Hatcher and Bill Loyd. Over 35 musicians took part in the program and an appreciative crowd applauded them all.
It was a blustery, rainy day outside but inside the church, enthusiasm and beautiful music was the order of the day. Dr. Jay Hughes, pastor of Cornelia United Methodist church, gave the invocation. Vessels of Worship sang “Bridge over Troubled Water” and “What He Done for Me”. Portia Burns is the leader and accompanist for the group. It was a very special day for her because the program was dedicated to her for her years of dedication to the Alliance. “Being a part of this community for seventeen years then being honored for something I just do without recognition is just such a blessing,” she says, “but it completely caught me off-guard. I didn’t know coming in today until I looked down at the program. What a blessing!”
Dr. Ann Nicely, Alliance Chairperson, spoke a welcome and call to celebration. She graciously invited us all to a time of community and indeed “building bridges of hope”, the theme for this year. Bill Loyd has served in the Alliance for many years. His opening remarks expressed appreciation to the outstanding individuals that serve on the planning committee of the Alliance. “They each bring their own varied and unique perspectives about this Celebration, and yet they also bring a unity of purpose – a singular vision and mission. They have organized…to help build stronger bridges of hope in our communities and to strengthen the ties that bind us together, rather than focusing on issues that separate us.”
Amy Bell recognized the student artists who participated in the art contest. Elidia Mora Duran drew the art featured inside the front cover of the program. As the first place art contest winner, she won a $100 prize and accepted her check as part of the service. Allison Wade’s art took the second place prize and her drawing was featured inside the back cover of the program. At the reception following the program, all of the artwork the high school art students submitted was displayed.
Each year the Alliance awards a scholarship to a Piedmont student. Cheyanne Osoria was this year’s Lachicotte-Strickland scholar. Cheyanne thanked the Alliance for the financial support and shared part of her history as a musician. She sang “Some Days” and received a standing ovation from the crowd.
Rev. Benjamin Hawks, pastor of Mt. Zion Church in Clarkesville, offered up a Prayer of Thanksgiving before the Love Offering. This offering is used to support the art awards and Piedmont scholarship.
The Voices of Hope, the women’s choir composed of inmates from Lee Arrendale State prison, offered the next musical selections. They shared three a cappella spirituals and two accompanied pieces. Their director is Susan Bishop who also serves as Clinical Chaplain at the prison. Twenty-two woman sang with great passion and depth. Benton Brooks, a former warden now serving another prison, is an honorary member of the group. He sang “You’ll Never Walk Alone” as a solo and joined the women by singing lead on one of their numbers, “Service of the Lord.”
The congregation was invited to sing “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” a traditional part of the service. Following Dr. Vanessa Burns’ acknowledgement of patrons and Bishop Earnest Burns’ Benediction, the celebration moved to the fellowship hall for a reception.
