Alumni Singers

The Alumni Singers

The Alumni Singers of St. Petersburg formed as a group during the celebration of the Gibbs Senior High School 50th anniversary in May, 1980. The nucleus of the group were former members of the acclaimed St. Cecilia Chorus. After the performance there was a tremendous desire to continue, and thus rekindle, a form of choral singing that had been an integral part of their development and education.

There was an immediate sense of purpose at this rejoining. The group decided to dedicate themselves to the continuation of performing and to share with the community the beauty and profoundness that is generated through choral singing.

Over the years the group has expanded and now includes singers from other high school and college choirs. Weekly rehearsals are exciting and spirited under the energetic direction of Robert L. Anders. The programs focus primarily on the performing of music that reflects, and is apart of, the rich musical heritage of the African-American experience. The purpose of The Alumni Singers is to preserve this heritage and to promote cultural enrichment. Concert renditions include the rich melodious sounds of spirituals and extend to gospel, hymns, anthems and secular/popular selections.

In addition to performing throughout the Tampa Bay area at local functions, The Alumni Singers have been featured for many years at the Choral Music Festival held by Bethune-Cookman College in Daytona Beach, Florida.

The Alumni Singers had the honor of appearing with Florida Orchestra in their Super Pops Concert series, under the direction of Skitch Henderson, in the presentation of the Porgy and Bess Suite.

Christmas, 2000

Over the years, we have had the privilege and experienced the joy of performances of two young women, who were the daughters of members, to accompany and interpret through dance some of our songs. The first was Brianna Reed who is now a member of the famed Alvin Alley Dance Company. The second was Chanda Ford. Chanda, in addition to being a dancer, is a singer and thespian. She graduated in 2002 and will be leaving us to attend Tennesee State University under a full scholarship.

A Sampling of the Songs in the Alumni Singers Repertoire

Spirituals

Contemplative Spiritual. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Donald Moore
Elijah Rock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Arr. Moses Hogan
Lord, I Don’t Feel No Ways Tired . . . . . . . . . . . . .Hairston
O Mary, Don’t You Weep . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Arr. McNeil
Oh, Great Joy in the Mornin’ Gonna Come.. . . . Arr. Collins
The Battle of Jericho. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Arr. Moses Hogan

Gospels

Amen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hairston
He Never Failed Me Yet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ray
Now Behold The Lamb. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Kirk Frankin
Plenty Good Room . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shaw
Servant Well Done. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Glenn Burleigh
The Kingdom. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Andre T. Thomas

Hymns / Anthems

All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name. . . . . . . . . . . . . .Peterson
Alleluia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mozart
Alleluia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Thompson
Go Down in the Lonesome Valley . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Hairston
Jesus Doeth All Things Well. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Glenn Burleigh
Jesus Paid It All. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Buffham
Rise Up O Men of God . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sredna
Since By Man Came Death. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Handel
Sing Hosanna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shaw
Sweet Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Whalyn
The Lord’s Prayer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Malotte
Who Is That Yonder?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Boatner

Secular / Popular

From A Distance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Julie Gold
He . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mullan / Richards
Hold On To Your Dreams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Althouse
I Believe I Can Fly. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . R. Kelly
I Hear America Singing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Andre T. Thomas
Gershwin Medley. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gershwin

The following institutions of higher learning are represented in the Alumni Singers

Bethune-Cookman College
Buffalo State Teachers College
City College of New York
Clark College
Clinton Junior College
Edward Waters College
Florida A&M University
Florida Memorial University
Howard University
Hunter College
Lansing Community College
Madonna College
Milikin University
New York University
North Carolina Central University
Nova University
Oakwood College
St. Augustine
St. Petersburg / Gibbs Junior College
St. Petersburg Vocational Technical Institute
Southern University
Stetson University
Tampa College
Tampa Technical
Tuskeegee Institute
University of the District of Columbia
University of Florida
University of South Florida
Wayne State University
West Virginia State College

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