Written by Ashlyn Wilson with SGJC Student News Network
HOUSTON--- Every spring the Morgan State University Singers, the choir’s travel group, travel to share their melodious and harmonic sound with the world.
This year the choir toured three of the largest cities in Texas Dallas, Austin and Houston from March 17 through March 19.
The trip was planned in 2019 and was set to begin in the spring of 2020.
In 2019 the schedule was made to be a five-day tour with a stop in San Antonio, along with the three other cities. However, the pandemic halted the choir’s tour schedule.
“Way back in 2019 it was my vision to have an all-Texas tour with the choir. And I had it all set up for many more days than this, going to San Antonio, Austin, Dallas and Houston,” said Dr. Eric Conway, director of the Morgan State University choir. “We lost [some] money on that tour…[but] we were able to use the funds that we had from three or four years ago for this tour directly.”
Four years later, the ensemble made its way across the country to sing at three churches.
The choir had an early start to the Texas tour Friday morning as they flew from Baltimore Washington International airport landing in Dallas to kick off the tour.
The choir spent most of their first day sightseeing the downtown Dallas area making stops to see the historical landmark of where John F. Kennedy was assassinated, strolling through the Dallas Museum of Art and passing by The Potter’s House, one of the largest mega churches in the nation under the leadership of Bishop T.D. Jakes.
Later, that evening the choir sang at the Inspiring Body of Christ Church, beginning their set with former choir director, Dr. Nathan Carter’s arrangement of Lift Every Voice and Sing. The choir continued the concert singing a host of classical, spiritual and gospel songs.
Before their performance, the ensemble took a short walk through the 5,000-seat church in Dallas that hosted a performance for Stevie Wonder. The church also had an aquarium with sharks, sting rays and other fish.
The president of Morgan State University, Dr. David Wilson’s nephew paid a visit to the church in Dallas, sending his support on behalf of his uncle.
President Wilson was not able to attend the Texas tour because he had a death in the family.
On Saturday morning, the choir boarded a bus to take a nearly three-hour drive to Austin to sing at Grant Worship Center.
Family and friends of choir members and alumni were in attendance supporting their alma mater and family members while listening to the world-renowned ensemble.
Julien Johnson, a senior in the bass section of the choir, had family that came to support one his last performances.
“It felt great! I talked to them about the tour about a month or two ago. They were waiting for it since my freshman year,” said Johnson. “It was great because this time I had a solo. So, they came out and supported me.”
The tour ended at Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church on Sunday in Houston.
However, on the way back home, the choir serenaded travelers at the Houston airport to close out a successful and long-awaited spring tour.
