By Marla Hurston Fuller
City of Cincinnati
The Morehouse College Glee Club is the premier singing organization of Morehouse College, traveling all over the country and the world and is set to perform here in Cincinnati next month. The historically all black, all male choir, will perform at Zion Baptist Church located at 630 Glenwood Avenue in Avondale, on Saturday, March 11, at 5:00 p.m. Presented by Morehouse College Alumni Association, Cincinnati/ Dayton Chapter, the concert is free and open to the public although contributions are encouraged.
World renowned for its music, the club was established in 1911 and formed at the black men’s university in Atlanta. Demonstrating excellence not only in choral performance but also in discipline, dedication, and brotherhood, the Morehouse College Glee Club is America’s oldest all-male collegiate glee club. The distinguished ensemble has a long tradition of public appearances throughout the United States and abroad and has sung with noted celebrities such as Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin and Natalie Cole. The choir has also performed at the Super Bowl, presidential inaugurations and the Olympics. But their most notable was at the funeral for one of their own alumni — Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
In addition, you may have heard them on the soundtracks to three Spike Lee produced films, School Daze, Miracle at St. Anna and Red Hook Summer. Their musical talents also can be heard on ten albums that include the 2011 release Centennial Celebration in recognition of the ensemble’s 100th year of musical legacy.
“The audience should prepare to be tantalized by the performance from this prestigious historically black institution,” stated Paul M. Booth, Division Manager, Office of Human Relations. “They are known the world over for their exceptional talent, their finely tuned skills, and the quality of their artistry. We are humbled that we are able to celebrate and uplift these young artists as they continue to reach new heights in the music world. I am honored to welcome this incredible group of singers to the Cincinnati community.”
The Morehouse College Glee Club & Quartet is currently directed by Dr. David Morrow, a 1980 Morehouse graduate and class valedictorian who received a master’s of music degree from the University of Michigan in 1981 and earned a doctor of musical arts degree from the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music in 1995. Dr. Morrow has been a member of the Music faculty at Morehouse College since 1981. In 1987, he succeeded Dr. Wendell P. Whalum as Director of the Glee Club. He is also Director of the Wendell P. Whalum Community Chorus, Co-Director of the Morehouse -Spelman Chorus. He was recently appointed chair of the music department.