WS Chronicle

Maestra D’Walla Simmons-Burke poses with Dr. Myron Brown, the accompanist.

(pictured above:  WSSU singers perform during last year’s concert.)

The Winston-Salem State University Choirs (University Choir; University Women; Schola Cantorum and Burke Singers), under the direction Maestra D’Walla Simmons-Burke and accompanist Dr. Myron Brown, will perform their annual winter concert at 4 p.m. Dec. 7 at the Kenneth R. Williams Auditorium on the WSSU campus.

The First Baptist Church (Highland Avenue) Youth Choir, under the direction of JoAnn Brown, will also perform. They and the WSSU Choir will be featured in a combined piece of Robert Cohon’s “Christmas Time.”
WSSU’s The Singin’ Divas, Schola Cantorum and the Burke Singers will also be featured.

This year’s concert will feature many holiday pieces with several settings, including “Rockin’ Jerusalem,” “Mary Had a Baby” and “Ave Maria.” Most of the repertoire will be seasonal spirituals, African and American folk songs and gospels and hymns by African and African-American composers and arrangers.

The featured student soloists will be Emanuel Graham, counter tenor; Ajahnah Lambert, alto; Simone Price, soprano; Taylor Mason, soprano; Brijea Colvin, alto; April Whitfield, soprano; Briana Martin, soprano; LaKrista Williams, soprano; Montavious Gray, baritone; and Byron Cumming, bass.

Admission is free and open to the public. A free-will offering will be taken to help support the students’ travels.