Lawson Concert Choir Performance Applauded by Judges and Peers
The Lawson State Community College Concert Choir recently traveled to Montgomery to perform in the 2024 American Choral Directors' Association (ACDA) Alabama Collegiate Choral Festival. They received superior comments and praise from the national adjudicator who worked with them during the post-performance clinic.
Their presence at the festival is one of the things that stands out about the choral program at Lawson State, according to Dr. Rebecca Duncan, chair of Lawson State's Humanities and Fine Arts Department.
"One of the things that makes our choir so special is the incredible performing opportunities that we offer our students," she said. "Last year, they were the only community college choir to perform at the ACDCA Choral Festival and the only community college in Alabama to ever be invited to perform at Carnegie Hall."
Watch and hear the concert choir perform some of their selections on YouTube:
All My Trials
The Majesty and Glory of Your Name
Old Time Religion
In Bright Mansions
Exceptional direction makes all the difference
Concert choir members have amazing voices, to be sure. But how they are directed makes a big difference, said Dr. Duncan.
"Mr. Bruce Henderson, the choral director, is the jewel of the program," she said. "He is an incredibly gifted music director who excels as a vocal performer, pianist, and as a leader/director. He not only elevates the quality of their musical performances to excellence, but he also develops leaders and creates a family atmosphere where every choir member is cared for. I can't think of anything better than that."
The Lawson choir also received standing ovations following almost every song, garnering additional praise from choirs representing Alabama State University, University of West Alabama, and Jacksonville State University. Several other choirs, such as Miles, Alabama A&M, Huntingdon, Jefferson State, Faulkner University, University of Alabama, and Auburn University attended the festival.
