CLARKSDALE – More than 1,000 celebrated a “Singing in of the Holiday Season” in grandiose style at Coahoma Community College Sunday night with the acclaimed choirs of five Historic Black College and Universities.

Performing were the Alcorn State University Concert Choir robed in purple with gold satin stoles; the Rust College, Mississippi Valley State University and CCC Concert Choirs, all in black formal attire, and in burgundy and light blue, the 65-member Talladega College Choir who left their Alabama college campus at 2 a.m to participate in the unique HBCU event.

To selections from Handel and Bach to spirituals arranged by William Grant Still, “Amazing Grace,” “He’s Got the Whole World,” “What a Wonderful World,”and “Elijah Rock” to the “Hallelujah Chorus,” the audience awarded standing ovations during the two-hour concert, and remained standing during the entire finale featuring the combined voices of all choirs directed by Talladega’s Dr. L. G. McLeod.

Each choir performed three to four selection. Directing were Kelvin Towers, CCC; Donna Schaffer, Alcorn; Dr. Orlando Moss, MVSU; Zebedee Jones, Rust College; and Dr. McLeod, Talladega.

Introducing each choir was a local alumnus including: Beatta C. Steward, Alcorn; Olenza S. McBride, Rust; and Ruben Smith, MVSU. Carl Pitts, who served as master of ceremonies introduced the Talladega and CCC Choirs.

A CCC Lyceum Series presentation, the free Fall Harvest Festival was sponsored by U.S. Department of Education Title III funding.