College Street Singers
College Street Singer History
In 1974, Glenn Maze, Chairman of the Music Department at Snead State attended a summer conference that featured an ensemble named Re-generation directed by Derrick Johnson, who is now known for his work with Disney. He was very impressed by the group’s singing style and positive image. Upon returning to Boaz, he met with Rebecca Lancaster, a vocal instructor at the college, about the idea of organizing a similar group at the college. By the fall, ten singers and a sound technician had been enlisted, and the Freedom Singers were formed. The group took the name Freedom Singers in anticipation of the country’s bicentennial Celebration. During the first year of their existence, the Freedom Singers performed 50 times and set a precedence of excellence and pride.
In 1977, the group changed their format from patriotic music to sacred and variety entertainment. They also changed their name to the College Street Singers after the major street running through the Snead State campus. They continued to perform in schools, churches, and civic organizations and events and averaged 30-40 performances per year. In 1990 the group appeared at Carnegie Hall with the Manhattan Symphony Orchestra.
Masterworks Chorale
The Snead State Masterworks Chorale is a non-auditioned group of singers made up of Snead students, faculty, staff, and persons from the Sand Mountain region who love to sing. The group presents a minimum of two concerts per year featuring renown choral music by historic and living composers, including major works such as Handel’s Messiah as well as theme concerts such as “Carols From Around The World”, presented in December 2021. The group presents concerts in conjunction with a community orchestra with players from the northern Alabama region as well as piano and/or small instrumental ensemble accompaniment. Directed by Dr. Barbara Hudson, membership in the chorale is open to all persons from ninth grade to age 90+ who can match pitch and blend with a group.
College credit is available for students who would like to sing in Masterworks Chorale as a credit course, but anyone can join by simply attending rehearsals regularly every Thursday evening during the school term. The group meets from 7:00 – 8:40 p.m. in room 103 of the Maze Music Building.
Snead students who are both music majors and non-majors are eligible to audition for a Choral Scholarship which allows students to receive 12 credits of tuition waivers per year. With this scholarship, students can register for Snead’s Masterworks Chorale for credit tuition free for both the fall and spring semesters. Students who are awarded College Street Singers and Voice scholarships also sing in Masterworks Chorale by having their tuition for registering for the course covered by their tuition-waiver scholarship.
Voice
Singers will perform two songs of contrasting styles and genres. One selection should be in the classical style such as an art song or folk song performed in the classical style or “legitimate” musical theatre style. The second selection can be in the pop, “non-legitimate” musical theatre, contemporary Christian, country/western, Gospel, or other non-classical styles. You may use CD accompaniment, accompany yourself on an instrument you play, or have a pianist accompany you. Singers who would like to have a pianist play for them must notify Dr. Hudson prior to their scheduled audition time and bring sheet music with them to their audition. During the audition, singers will be required to sight read the soprano, alto, tenor, or bass part from an unfamiliar song. Singers will also be required to sing some vocal exercises to check range and possible voice part.
Need more information?
Dr. Barbara Hudson Fine Arts Division Director
Fine Arts Division Director/Director of Masterworks Chorale
barbara.hudson@snead.edu
256.840.4147
Gina Garmon
Director of College Street Singers
regina.garmon@snead.edu