Friends and Collaborations

Throughout the years, ACC has been blessed to work with many great artists we now call friends. These collaborations have led to such beautiful music, those who listen are brought to tears.

One such collaboration has been with the Martin Luther King Jr. Male Chorus (MLK Chorus). Several years ago, when they first performed together, the director as well as everyone in the audience knew the pairing was magic. By the end of the performance of “Total Praise” there was barely a dry eye in the house. Now, it is a piece many wish to hear every time the two groups perform together because of the power of the song and how it sounds with children’s voices and men’s voices.

Directed by Marshall Murray, this group of (44) forty-four men, both clergy and lay leaders, are from twenty-six denominationally diverse congregations from Saint Albans to Oak Hill, West Virginia. They sing both contemporary and traditional African-American gospel music that they share with diverse audiences throughout the State of West Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic region of the country.

The MLK Chorus has become a true friend to ACC and is part of their annual Holiday concert. They two groups also perform together for special events such as raising money for victims of Hurricane Katrina, a benefit for Haiti, as well as the memorial celebration for Martin Luther King, Jr. day at the Asbury United Methodist Church. Co-director, Harry Stewart said of ACC, “The men just love and respect the children and how prepared they are.”

The children look forward to singing with MLK every year. One of their favorite members, James Parker, was in the hospital due to illness. They all wished to send him a card of support, wishing him a speedy recovery. Mr. Parker, who has a rich, deep bass voice, typically sang the beginning verses of “Total Praise”. The children are hoping he will eventually be able to return to the MLK choir and sing with ACC again.

This collaboration is one of many that has enriched ACC and we hope it will continue for many years!