Fall always makes me think of music. My kids were involved in bands and choruses most of their middle and high school careers. When I was little and we visited with relatives, it seemed everyone had a fiddle, banjo, guitar or mandolin. And, of course, there is the Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddler’s Convention hosted by Athens State University every October. This year marks the 49th time we have gathered together as a community to pick, grin, buck dance, shop, talk, listen, and eat, and it is one of the highlights of the Fall Festival Season here in Athens!
On September 7th, rehearsals began for the Athens State Community Chorus concert in November. If you like to sing and want to join our Chorus, it is not too late. Our Community Chorus has joined with the Decatur Civic Chorus, and will sponsor a gospel concert in November. Watch our website – www.athens.edu/CLL – for concert dates. For information about how to join the chorus, call Wanda Campbell at 256-233-8260.
This October, the Center will offer It’s All About the Rhythm. This course is for teens and adults who are interested in forming a rhythm section that will learn to perform, create, improvise and collaborate over a variety of musical genres including pop, jazz, country, rock, blues and classical styles. Barry Kay will lead rehearsals, providing instruction, conducting the group and providing personalized practice tips and arrangements for a few rhythm section tunes based on the instrumentation and the skill level that we have sign up. The final session will culminate in a concert for friends and family which will showcase students’ work. Students need to bring their own instruments; however, an electronic stage piano will be available on first request basis. The course is scheduled on Tuesdays, Oct 7-20, from 6:00-8:00 pm, at the Center for Lifelong Learning. The fee is $75 per person. Those interested in participating can register online or call 256-233-8260 to register.
On December 6th, the Center will sponsor a concert with Committed. Committed is an a cappella singing group comprised of five well educated, young men who love creativity, music, and God. The group began in 2003 at Forest Lake Academy and perfected their sound while at school at Oakwood University in Huntsville, Alabama. Committed has grown to be a very sought after a cappella group for many events around the United States, and also overseas. The group was featured on the second season of NBC’s hit singing competition, “The Sing Off,” and emerged as the champions. It has been their strong faith, hard work, and creativity that has gotten them to the point of being called one of the nation’s top ten a cappella groups.
You can check out the latest information about classes, concerts, and events on our website – www.athens.edu/CLL – or our Facebook page – Center for Lifelong Learning at Athens State University.
Hope to see you at one of the upcoming concerts!
Center for Lifelong Learning – 121 South Marion Street, Athens, AL 35611 – 256-233-8262
By: Wanda Campbell
