Concert Choir

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Comment by Tish Norman on September 7, 2009 at 1:49pm

Friends and Family,
Once again, in memory of our beloved brother Torin Norman and father Rev. Clem Norman, we gather again to honor them with fun, fellowship and enjoying the sport they LOVED the most!

The Norman Memorial Golf outing will be held this year at the Briarwood Golf Club in Cleveland, Ohio.

RESERVE your foursomes today!

Regrets by Sept, 15th to
Tish Norman - 818.505.8229
or
Tammi Norman -404.643.8835

Prizes for Closest to the Pen & Long Drive

Comment by Tanya "T-Money" Mason on August 24, 2009 at 3:29pm

KSU CC's own, Charlotte Scott, wrote a children's book explaining some of the miracles of Jesus. It's not just for smaller kids, but for the "big" little kids too like 10-12. Amazon is out of stock right now, but if you're interested, you can purchase the book through the publisher @ http://rathsipublishing.com/.
Product Description
Beautiful rendition of the Biblical stories for today's youth. The scriptures come to life through the captivating illustrations of teen phenom illustrator Jeremy Hughes.

About the Author
Ms. Scott received her Bachelor of Arts degree in social work from Kentucky State University and her Master of Arts degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from Michigan State University. Her professional career started as a unit supervisor managing therapeutic groups and providing individual treatment at New Center Community Mental Health Agency. Ms. Scott has worked as a clinical therapist and trainer for a number of years. She has a zeal for life and a passion for helping people. Her life has brought her to a deep understanding of the importance of positive input and its production of powerful outcomes. She is the author of 3 books. Author's Statement: I am, as I have also learned myself, to help people learn how to love themselves, and gain inner peace in order to obtain outward success. Communication, in this world, is key. One of my life's goals is to assist people in developing effective communication skills, while cultivating, not working relationships, but relationships that work! Often the search proves more than the goal.

Comment by Marion K. Kelly on July 31, 2009 at 6:16pm

Hey CC members of old. I am old school concert choir but will be attending KSU's homecoming for the fist time since graduation in 1980. I sang Bass in the choir under Carl Henry for 3 years and left when he left to do his PhD. I could not imagine singing under anyone else, no matter how skilled they thought they were. SMILE
If you are out there holla back!!

Comment by Nathaniel E. Thompson on March 15, 2009 at 1:15pm

I need to know if they are coming to NYC and when

Comment by Tanya "T-Money" Mason on February 26, 2009 at 12:04pm

I'm starting the "Card for Carl/Dollar for Doc" campaign. I think it would be sweet if we individually sent Doc a card with $1 in it. Tour starts next week so, if we all do it between today and Monday, he should have some pocket change by the time they leave. If not, then by the time they return. It could buy him a nice lunch/dinner somewhere.

When signing, be sure to include the years you were in CC and whatever other special sentiment you'd like to express. This is just one small and fun way we can show Doc our appreciation and love for him. I'm sure he'll get a kick out of the dollars. :-)

Don't act like you don't remember the address, but here it is anyway:

Dr. Carl H. Smith
Kentucky State University Division of Fine Arts
Bradford Hall
400 E. Main Street
Frankfort, KY 40601

Comment by Lois V Mockabee on February 25, 2009 at 8:53pm

I agree that the university should have contacted us, however as alumnus we must continue in our efforts to make this event a wonderful celebration for Dr. Smith as he brings the choir to each of our respective cities. Kristie, thanks for posting the journal add about your Dad. Though the University did not contact former choir members, I know that we have all been spreading the information as we have all received it in various formats. For those former choir members interested in attending the cost is $75.00 and $150 for the VIP Reception and Gala. Also, if past members of the choir are interested in purchasing a table the cost $750. I hope that everyone can attend from many decades to express our gratitude to Dr. Smith and our memories of the Concert Choir for each respective decade where you were a member.

Comment by Kristie on February 25, 2009 at 2:31pm

http://www.state-journal.com/news/article/4534141
2/25/09

KSU's favorite conductor will lead D.C. concert

By Katheran Wasson

Photo By State Journal/Kelly Mackey
Dr. Carl Smith, who has directed Kentucky State University’s choir for 50 years, will conduct the Historically Black Colleges and Universities National Concert Choir. Awards cover the walls of Dr. Carl Smith's office at Kentucky State University, but the longtime choir director says the one he received last week was "one of the greatest" yet.

Smith, who has directed KSU's concert choir for 50 years, will conduct the annual performance of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities National Concert Choir this August at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

His fellow musicians selected him as one of three national conductors to lead the choir's 105 voices " one representing each of the nation's historically black institutions.

"That's one of the highest honors you can get, when other conductors select you," Smith said.

"I feel honored, and of course challenged. We always feel challenged when something big like that happens."

Renata Roy, founder and executive director of the program, said Smith was chosen for his long tenure at KSU and the mark he will leave on the university.

He also served as chairman of the First National HBCU Conductor's Summit last year, she said.
"His track record and success have been phenomenal," she said.

"We're just ecstatic to have him " with his tenure, his experience " to give him this opportunity, after being at Kentucky State for 50 years, to conduct on the Kennedy Center stage."

Smith will be the "lead conductor" and open the concert, Roy said.

Two additional conductors were chosen from the regional choir leaders who will rehearse with students leading up to the Aug. 30 concert.

"With his tenure, his track record, his history at the university and being the first chair for the National Conductor's Summit, he deserved that conductor's slot," she said.

Smith's next challenge is choosing the pieces he will conduct. Though he plans to select some works by African American composers, one of his favorites is Mozart, who he says is loved by both singers and audiences.

"You do Mozart, and everybody wins," he said. "His works are geared to the human voice."

The 105-member choir won't be the biggest Smith has led, but it's huge compared to the group he started with at KSU in 1959.

Smith was offered three jobs after college: one as a public school teacher in his hometown of Tulsa, Okla.; another as a voice instructor at Southern University in Baton Rouge, La.; and the position at KSU.

"I took this position because I would have been doing my first love, which is conducting," he said.

When Smith arrived in Frankfort, 22 singers showed up for his first rehearsal. He says he walked around campus recruiting students to join.

But attendance grew, and the group was invited to perform in Canada, the beaches of the Bahamas and places in between.

Smith has performed for 12 governors, and his choirs have sung with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, the Louisville Philharmonic and the Lexington Philharmonic.

In the 1970s, a German TV crew filmed a documentary about the KSU choir.

"(I stayed because of) the people, the students, the challenges," he said.
"Love for the art of choral conducting, and the enjoyment of seeing the growth of this choral program at the university."

In April, the university will host its annual President's Scholarship Gala in honor of Smith and his milestone year.

Smith, who won't tell his age, said he's too busy to think about retirement now. His choir kicks off its annual spring tour next week, and he's working to recruit new voices for next year.

"I have not really decided on some future plans," he said. "Once I do retire, the center of my work will be at my church."

He hopes to encourage more young people to get involved with music at First Christian Church in Frankfort, and continue to do workshops and seminars to "remain a part of the profession in an active way."

He'll also spend time with his family of five children and two grandchildren.

For now, Smith has some planning to do for the concert in D.C., which drew a crowd of more than 3,000 in 2008, its first year.

"Last year it was just a packed house," he said. "They had to turn people away at the door."

This year, a representative from each branch of the armed forces will also appear on stage, Roy said.

Roy said she started the program because music, which has a long history at historically black colleges and universities, was fading. Choosing one singer from each school ensured that bigger universities wouldn't dominate, she said.

"We wanted to make sure that one student from each school was given the right to be exposed nationally and perform on the Kennedy Center stage," she said.

"We always hear about the large colleges, not the small ones like Kentucky State, but this gives kids and conductors from small universities even footing."

Comment by Gail McDonald on February 20, 2009 at 8:37am

Hey Everyone,

Tammi I saw your message about the Gala. I assumed at this point that we are not doing anything official for Docs tribute, since its in April and no one at the school has said anything to us as alumni and former choir members. I assume it is just a fundraiser.

I hope that we can at least be called to sing the alma mater. I hope that Pres Sias is aware of this tradition and that whoever is in charge of the putting together the program is aware as well at that this happens. I am disappointed, as I'm sure we all are. I would have hoped that someone at the school or a former choir member working at the school would have been on the planning committee or something to make this happen. I would have hoped to at least sing 1 song and the alma mater, or something.

The KSU NY Alumni chapter is paying tribute to Doc when the choir comes here on tour March 12-13th and in addition to a tangible gift, I think I may also be performing/dancing something. I have yet to decide. I was on the phone with another former choir member and we were both expressing the same thought. It is very disappointing.

I am solidifying my travel plans, so I will see everyone in April at the Gala.

Comment by Kristie on January 18, 2009 at 9:12pm

My Dad does not plan on retiring next year and will continue to direct the choir but he is still being honored for his 50 years of service to KSU! Thanks for thinking of him and planning something so special!

Comment by Tasha Brown on January 18, 2009 at 2:57pm

Hey Guys.... I was reading the post about the celebration of Docs retirement in Columbus which is good...BUT -- are we sure that Doc is actually retiring? It is my understanding that the University is indeed honoring him at the Gala in April but he is not intending on retiring. This is my understanding but I may be wrong. Anybody know?

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