Welcome...
The Chattanooga Choral Society for the Preservation of African American Song is a group formed for the purpose of preserving the rich heritage of African American songs with special emphasis on the Negro spirituals. This diverse group is comprised of approximately 45 members with different professional backgrounds including students, professors, professional musicians, and others that all share a love of music and a desire to perform it with an emphasis on quality.

The Group...
The Chattanooga Choral Society for the Preservation of African American Song (CCSPAAS) traces its beginning to informal gatherings of former students, church choir members, and friends of the late Edmonia Johnson Simmons. Mrs. Simmons taught music at the Howard High School in Chattanooga for nearly four decades, and served as music director for several area churches. During holiday seasons, especially Christmas, Howard alumni would join current students and church choir members for concerts, caroling, and often informal sessions in her home. Records indicate that as early as 1974, the name Choral Society was used in presentations by the ensemble.

In 1984, Dr. Lee Norris Mackey, a Simmons protégé, undertook a research project to investigate the programming performance practices, and recordings of African American spirituals by choirs of Historically Black Colleges, and Universities (HBCU’s). Mackey found that there has been a significant decline in the performance of spirituals; thus the need, mission, and name were affirmed. Dr. Mackey sought and received funding from the Lyndhurst Foundation in Chattanooga for this project.

Following in the footsteps of his former teacher and friend, Dr. Mackey taught music in the Chattanooga Public Schools System, where he directed highly acclaimed choral programs at both the Brainerd and Chattanooga High Schools. With its students, alumni, and friends, the membership base of the Society was expanded.

Concert programs indicate that as early as 1974, the name Chattanooga Choral Society was used in presentations by the group. In 1984, the formal organization of the chorus was announced as a unit of the Chattanooga African American Heritage Museum. The first concert was presented in November 17, 1984, at the First Baptist Church (East Eight Street). The program was an overwhelming success. Since that time, the ensemble has performed bi-annual concerts – fall and spring – and for schools, community service, religious and professional organizations and conferences throughout the state.

From 1990 – 2008, Dr. Roland Carter, a distinguished conductor, composer and arranger also, a Howard alumnus and Simmons protégé, directed CCSPAAS. Presently, he serves as music consultant.

 

The Directors...
Wilma Boykin LeSure is an alumnus of both Howard and Riverside High Schools where she was a music student of Mrs. Edmonia Simmons and Mrs. Lucinda Pickett-Jones. Her early studies in piano were with Mrs. Alma Stovall. She received a B. S. degree in Music Education from Knoxville College and a M.S. in Education from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Mrs. LeSure retired after 34 years from the Hamilton County Schools of Chattanooga. She is currently the Director of Music for Greater Friendship Primitive Baptist Church. She is married to Eddie LeSure and mother of Edwin LeSure. She is also a charter member of The Chattanooga Choral Society for the Preservation of African American Song.

Michael Jerome Mitchell Jr. received a Bachelors of Arts in Vocal Music Education from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in December 2007. He is currently teaching music at the Barger Academy of Fine Arts in Chattanooga. He is a member of the National Association of Negro Musicians (NANM) and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He resides in Chattanooga with his wife, Jennifer, and daughter, Jayda.

Upcoming Events...

Date and Time	Event	Location
Sunday, February 14 3:30 pm	17th Annual Simmons-O'Neal Memorial Concert with The Chattanooga Boys Choir under the direction of Vincent Oakes Picture from Past Event	Greater Friendship PB Church Click for directions to 1208 Glenwood Drive
Thursday, April 22 through Saturday, April 24 Time - TBA	2010 African American Music Workshop This workshop is presented with grant support from Allied Arts of Chattanooga and the Tennessee Arts Commission Clinician: Dr. James Abbington	First Baptist Church Click for directions to 506 East 8th Street
Tuesday, June 1	Celebrating the 123rd Birthday of Roland Hayes with Harv Wileman, tenor This concert is presented in collaboration with the UTC Holmberg Professorship of American Music	Roland Hayes Concert Hall University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

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Past Events:

December 24, 2009 - 6:00 p.m. - Annual Candelight Service, Lessons, Carols, and Spirituals, First Baptist Church (East Eighth Street).

November 14, 2009, 5:00 pm - Premiere concert featuring the first CD release Close to Thee by the Chattanooga Choral Society for the Preservation of African American Song, CCSPAAS, under the direction of Dr. Roland Carter, First Baptist Church (506 East 8th Street). View Press Release here. Also, view article from the Chattanoogan.com



Join Us...
The Chattanooga Choral Society invites you to join us each Monday evening at 7:00 pm, at First Baptist Church of 8th Street, Chattanooga, Tennessee. Auditions are arranged upon request or by contacting Wilma LeSure (423) 892-1439 or Bryant Lowery (423) 902-4983.

The current Choir Roster as of January, 2010 is as follows: Soprano:Crystal Ammons, Betty Conley, Sylvia Dance, Atheria Freeman, Wendal Gray, Sonya Henry,Claraniece Hogan-Collins, Brenda Holloway, Elizabeth Jones, Vanessa Kimbrough, Bertha Lawrence, Wilma LeSure, Mildred Logan, Lauvern McBee, Wynona McGhee, Lucilla Nash, Conious Price, Daisy Scott, Patricia Starks, Juliet Williams Alto: Brittany Ammons, Juliette Brown, Cynthia Carter, Dawn Dunn, Valeria Garth, Sheressa Gober, Rebecca Harris, Annaiah Jones, Glenna Kelley, Aundrette Logan, Aloha Pope-Bailey, Beverly Scott Tenor: Dorthy Denkins, Lynn Ford, Robert Freeman, Bertram Jenkins, Gatha Logan, Jr., Ruth Rutland, Larry Taylor, Arthur Terry, James Toney, Michael Mitchell, Terrell Walker Baritone: Michael Geer, Eddie LeSure, Dale McCoy (student) Bass: James Baldwin Jr., Larry Bray, Floyd Eaves, Rodney Gilliam, Bryant Lowery, LaFrederick Thirkill, Bo Walker, Arthur Woods, Christopher Pollard (student)

Sponsorships...
Major Corporate Sponsors ($1,000), Corporate Sponsors ($300), Concert Partners ($100 plus), Concert Patrons ($100), and Friends of the Choral Society. Contact Wilma LeSure, Michael Geer, or Bryant Lowery for details.


Contact Us...
Acting Music Director, Wilma LeSure, 423-892-1439

President-James Toney, Immediate Past President-Bryant Lowery, Vice President-Eddie LeSure, Executive Director-Beverly Scott, Treasurer-Juliet Williams, Secretary-Aundrette Logan, Financial Secretary-Juliet Williams, Chaplain-James Toney, Parliamentarian-LaFrederick Thirkill, Librarian-Brenda Holloway, Historian/Archivist-Wynona McGhee.