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Please enjoy this final edition of our newsletter looking back at an exciting and eventful 2013-2014 school year.
Citation preview
MAY 2014
The opportunity for
brotherhood
presents itself every
time you meet a
human being. Jane Wyman
You cannot see
brotherhood; neither
can you hear or
taste it, but you can
feel it a hundred
times a day. Peter Terzick
1
After making a spectacular performance at the Intercollegiate Men’s
Chorus (IMC) Conference at Rutgers University, the Morehouse College Glee Club
began to hit the road, which commenced their annual spring tour. Tour stops this year
included New York City, New Jersey, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C.,
Pennsylvania, Columbus, Detroit, Indiana, Milwaukee, and Chicago.
From the beautiful Old South Church in Boston to the large Harris Theatre
in Chicago, each venue received a unique, yet remarkable performance from the
glee club, touching audiences in an unforgettable way. “As a senior I felt that I should
take a step back and offer words of wisdom on tour and not necessarily try to be the
one in the mix. Passing the torch is one of the hardest things to do especially when
you are passionate about the organization, “ stated Terrance Buck ‘14, Tenor.
New touring member Jordan Gleaves ’15, Bass, also stated, “I enjoyed the
benefits that came from spring tour; traveling to states I’ve never visited, building my
network, and getting to know my brothers on a stronger level.” Whether it be on tour
or a local performance, you can rest assure that the Morehouse College Glee Club
will always deliver an extraordinary performance.
Photo: MCGC members walking to the Harris Theater in Chicago, IL for the last concert of tour. 2
MCGC members attending an IMC 2014
concert Dr. David Morrow giving a lecture on African
American music at IMC 2014
MCGC performing in the final concert series
of IMC 2014
MCGC performing Vocalise at First Corinhian
Baptist Church in Harlem NY
MCGC poses with Flat Stanley at Rutgers
University
MCGC performing Betelehemu in Harlem, NY
MCGC rehearsing at Mt. Calvary Baptist
Church in Newark, NJ.
MCGC members eating dinner at the Old
South Church in Boston, MA.
3
Photo Credit: DeRonn Kidd
Photo Credit: DeRonn Kidd
Elijah McDavid and Jelani
Watkins ‘15, Bass rehearse My
Strength and My Song on piano
MCGC performing at the Old South Church
Boston, MA Jelani Watkins ‘15, Bass in
Monumental Baptist Church in
Philadelphia’ PA
MCGC performing MLK Memorial
Library in Washington, DC
MCGC performing iat Shiloh Baptist Church
in Washington, DC
MCGC Alumnus from
1950s speaking to
current members on the
bus
Daniel McRath, ‘16, Tenor II,
Aaron Spain-Bey ‘16, Tenor II,
Clarence Wilson III ‘14, Baritone
in DC
Dr. Morrow oversees rehearsal
on My Strength and My Song
on piano
Tamir Mickens ‘14, Bass, Chris
Sumlin ‘16, Tenor I, Xavier Durden
‘14, Tenor I in Columbus, OH
MCGC eating dinner with members of the
DC Boys Choir
Dr. Morrow rehearses the MCGC and an
Honor Choir in York, PA
MCGC rehearses
at the Harris
Theater in
Chicago, IL
MCGC basses in Chicago, IL
4
…that's one of the great
feelings - to stop being me for
a little while and to become
us. From that comes the great
social virtue, empathy.”
–Brian Eno
“When you sing with a group
of people, you learn how to
subsume yourself into a group
consciousness because group
singing is all about the
immersion of the self into the
community
5
6
As commencement nears, the Morehouse College Glee Club bids
farewell to the members of the graduating class of 2014: Tyler Alexander, Elijah Bell-
Clarke, Terrance Buck, Rodney Davis, Xavier Durden, Cazembe Kennedy, Jamal
Lewis, James Lockhart, Tamir Mickens, Bruce Purvis Jr., Ardis Tate, and Clarence
Wilson. This year’s senior class of the Morehouse College Glee Club is distinguished
with unprecedented experiences and accomplishments. “We pride ourselves on
being ‘new members’ the longest,” Terrance Buck said, during the Senior Banquet.
Having been new members for 13 months as freshmen, they had the privilege of
touring internationally to countries such as Puerto Rico and Canada. Additionally, as
members of the MCGC centennial class, they performed in the Avery Fisher Hall,
Lincoln Center to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Glee Club in 2011.
A Farewell to the
Unless commitment is
made, there are only
promises and hopes... but
no plans. David Trucker
7
Not all of the class of 2014 started their journey in the Glee Club
together. “I joined the Glee Club during my Sophomore year, but the other
members in my graduating class welcomed me right in. I still share the bond of
entering Morehouse College with them, which cannot be taken away” said Tamir
Mickens. The class of 2014 also has members that transferred into Morehouse from
other colleges and universities in the fall of 2011.
As most seniors recollect, though both nationally and internationally
traveled, the most significant impacts the Glee Club have made were within its
brotherhood. “When you’re homeless and don’t have a place to stay, and
someone welcomes you into their home,” Clarence Wilson recalled. “That’s
brotherhood.”
After Wilson’s speech, it was a challenge to find a dry eye in the Shirley
A. Massey Executive Conference Center’s banquet hall. Moments earlier audience
members were charged by graduating senior Jamal Lewis. “Love each other!”
Jamal Lewis said, reiterating a fundamental principle of MCGC. Charged by both
Lewis and Wilson’s senior speeches, we are challenged to embody the
fundamental principle of our unique brotherhood: love. Again, as we bid farewell,
we recognize that we will forever be “Brothers in Song” whose duty is love each
other through song, service, and support.
8
MCGC Class of 2014 performing Trains a-Comin by Carlos Simon ‘08
at the Senior Day Crown Forum. Pictured L to R: Xavier Durden, Elijah
Bell-Clarke, Bruce Purvis, James Lockhart Rodney Davis Jr., Caembe
Kennedy (not pictured), Clarence Wilson III, and Tamir Mickens.
It's amazing to think about how fast a year can go by. Memories of April 2013 are still fresh in my mind. I remember setting the goals, dreams, and vision. I remember inheriting the hopes of those who had demonstrated how to lead. Life, like time, has come back full circle as I reflect on the wonderful year I have had being president of this beloved Morehouse College Glee Club. Indeed this year has been providentially challenging. Yet, we were able to navigate the God-given obstacles of losing a talented senior class, balancing personality types, adjusting to budget cuts, and learning difficult music. Together we had a plethora of successful concerts, increased our fundraising efforts, and grew as brothers. We've made our communication more efficient, we've exposed ourselves to new audiences, and we even have a new logo as we begin year 104. This year has been a blessing. Moving forward I wish all of the best to my successor and his administration. I hope that together this organization might create a long term vision. A vision not concerned with on campus perception or singing the songs that will fill churches and shout the people. I hope that our vision pushes us towards making the best musicians and the best men. For that is our purpose and our calling. Yesterday, today, and forever more. Sing on my brothers! Elijah L. McDavid, III ’15, Bass Religion Arlington, VA
Farewell A Letter from our
2013-2014 President Address
9
10
I must say that it has been a tremendous
honor to serve as one of the 2013-2014
MCGC PR Managers. Representing and
promoting the glee club has been one of
the most rewarding duties as an officer.
From concert to concert, I never grew tired
of hearing the wonderful feedback from
satisfied audiences. Not to mention that it
has been an even greater privilege to
share the work with my PR partner Tamir
Mickens. Together we served as a great
team and were able to produce great sales
after each concert performance. This has
truly been a remarkable year serving for
the glee club and I am so grateful for the
opportunity.
God Bless! -
Trevor J. Queen ’16, Baritone Political Science Annapolis, MD
It has been my pleasure to serve this great
organization as one of the Public Relations
Managers for the past two school years. It
has enhanced my interpersonal skills,
creativity, and has given me a plethora of
memories to keep for a lifetime. The job
could not be done alone and I am thankful
for my co-officers James Lockhart and
Trevor Queen for all of their hard work. We
hope you enjoyed this edition of our
newsletter celebrating an exciting and
eventful year! Outside of managing sales,
providing better publicity this year was our
focus and we appreciate all of compliments
received. In the words of our Director, Dr.
David Morrow, "If you're not going to be
new, be improved.“
Thank you. -
Tamir Mickens ’14 Biology Decatur, GA 11
Where there is
, there is life.
Mahatma Gandhi
12
Photo Credit: Bummah Ndeh ‘16, Tenor.