Seven Choirs Assemble for 19th-Annual ‘Realizing the Dream’ Concert at UA’s Moody Music Building

TUSCALOOSA – On Saturday, Jan. 19, seven of the Tuscaloosa area’s most renowned choirs will perform at the 19th Annual “Realizing the Dream” concert. The event, which honors the life and works of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Concert Hall of The University of Alabama’s Moody Music Building.

This year’s concert, “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” will feature The Alabama Choir School, Shelton Singers, Stillman College Choir, The University Singers, Citywide Middle School Honor Choir, UA Afro American Gospel Choir and the University Chorus.

Musical performances will include “Hold On!” (a spiritual composed by Jester Hairston), “Total Praise” (a gospel song by Richard Smallwood), Jabula Jesu (a Zulu folk song composed by Stephen Hatfield), “I’m Goin’ Up A-Yonder” (a gospel song by Walter Hawkins), “Precious Lord, Take My Hand” (arranged by Jack Schrader), “Who Would Imagine This King” (arranged by Dave Williamson, words by Levert Hedgemon Jr.), a medley excerpt from “A Patriotic Festival” by Mark Williams, “In Bright Mansions Above” by Roland Carter and “Soon I Will Be Done” by Raymond Wise.

The music will wrap around narration taken from King’s “World House” essay, given when he received the 1964 Noble Peace Prize. King’s “World House” concept encourages people of different races, religions, ideas, cultures and interests to learn to live together as brothers and sisters or perish as fools. In his address, King offers the choice between chaos and community.

The event is sponsored by the Realizing the Dream Committee, a cooperative effort among The University of Alabama, Stillman College and Shelton State Community College. The committee’s mission is to raise consciousness about injustice and promote equality, peace, and social justice by creating educational and cultural opportunities for growth, empowerment, and social change so that every person may experience the bounty of life’s abundant possibilities.

The concert began in 1990. Celebrity participants have included James Earl Jones, Sidney Poitier, Harry Belafonte, Cicely Tyson and Della Reese. Since its inception, the concert has grown from one event into a series of events designed to celebrate the shared goals and aspirations of King throughout the year.

Tickets for the event are $15 and will go on sale Monday, Jan. 14. Tickets are available at the Moody Music box office or by phoning 205/348-7111.