Albany’s combined high school choruses strike a high note at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church | VIDEO

ALBANY — A packed house filled the Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church sanctuary Monday evening where they saw — and heard — history in the making.

Mobile users can see video of part of the concert here.

For the first time, the choruses of the four Dougherty County public high schools — Albany, Doughertym Monroe and Westover — and those of Deerfield-Windsor School and Sherwood Christian Academy combined to sing songs of freedom in celebration of Black History Month. The students had rehearsed the past five weeks and the combined choruses got together once weekly in preparation for the concert.

The 2nd annual event was sponsored by the Albany Civil Rights Museum.

“These kids came out and took to the music and gave up their time to be here tonight,” ACRI Executive Director Frank Wilson said. “We can all learn from these children.”

Each of the schools choral directors led the students in one song before they were joined by Freedom Singers Angie Gibson, Geneva Fields, Eartha Watkins and Geneva Johnson.

The crowd was enthusiastic as the 65-strong chorus rolled through the program.

“If I ruled the world I would decree that every evening in America be like this one,” ACRI Board Member C.W. Grant said.

Deerfield-Windsor Headmaster Dave Davies agreed.

“That,” he said, “was special.”

Dougherty County School Superintendent Butch Mosely also was effusive in his praise of the students.

“You know, we hear and read a lot of negative stuff about our students, but these kids here tonight represent the majority of our students. I am proud of each and every one of them,” Mosely said.

As the concert wrapped up, several members of the audience expressed their admiration and appreciation of the performance they had just witnessed.

“That was awesome and inspiring,” Vernon Bronner said. “It was good to see the collaboration between the public and private schools. It made me proud of the kids, proud of our leadership and proud of our community.”

Dolores Barnes was equally enthusiastic in her assessment of the evening.

“I thought the entire concert was just great, and I loved every minute of it,” she said. “I think that next year they ought to move it to the Civic Center and pass around the plate.”

Westover Choral Director Selena Bentley said she hoped that the concert, which attracted a cross-section of the population, would benefit the community — possibly breaking down some barriers in the process.

“This concert can create a sense of unity in Albany and that is a neat feeling,” she said. “If there is one thing that can break down barriers, it’s music.”