HANCEVILLE, Ala. – Wallace State Community College’s Fine and Performing Arts program will present “I Am a Pilgrim: The Evolution of American Gospel Music” July 23-25, before taking the show to Scotland next month to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
“I Am a Pilgrim: The Evolution of American Gospel Music” will offer a musical journey through the history of gospel music, including shape-note singing, African American spirituals, Southern gospel and more.
Tiffany Richter, director of the vocal ensembles at Wallace State, said the research process in developing the production has been enlightening.
“I am a child of the church and digging into the history of how church music has evolved has been fascinating,” she said. “Gospel music has touched every decade of American history, and really influenced our culture. If you like history or music or great harmony, or just want some great entertainment, there is absolutely something in this show for you.”
Connections to gospel music history
The history of gospel music is especially relevant for two Wallace State alums who will be performing and acting as directors for the show. Siblings Tahauny and Duke Cleghorn serve as the show’s choreographer and musical director, respectively, and are related to Otis McCoy, an editor of the Red Back Hymnal. The hymnal is often featured in gospel music conventions and local church singings. Classic gospel songs such as “Farther Along” and “I’ll Fly Away” are found in the hymnal.
“Gospel music is something that runs deep in my family, in every sense,” Tahauny Cleghorn said. “My great-great-uncle Otis McCoy edited what here in Alabama we call the ‘red-back hymnal,’ and composed many of its well-loved songs. And his great-uncle, Seaborn M. Denson, was one of the foremost teachers and writers of Sacred Harp music in the state. This is the music that my family listened to in the car, the music that we sang at family gatherings and that, in many ways, formed the basis of my musical education.”
While the Cleghorns have an ingrained knowledge of the history of gospel music, some of the current students are learning more about the genre. Students have watched documentaries about African American Spirituals, learned about songsters who traveled the South teaching people how to read music, and the beginnings of Sacred Harp music.
Kaylie Ellis said she has appreciated the opportunity to “learn the rich history of gospel music and the power of the stories written in each song,” and she’s discovered how it can bring people together.
“As a nurse, I spend most of my time at work before heading to rehearsal for our upcoming show,” she said. “I sometimes catch myself humming the tunes in the hall, and even have some people sing with me. I find this moment creates a special connection. I look forward to being a part of a movement as big as this show.”
Jay Lee said the experience has taught him more about America’s history. “It has shown me how influential gospel music is and how many people’s hearts have been affected by it,” Lee said. “It’s a religious experience, a cultural experience, a personal one, and much more. It has truly opened my eyes to the connection we have with each other and to America’s great melting pot.”
“I Am a Pilgrim” traveling to Europe
After completing the show’s run at home, the group will then prepare to take the production to Europe, where they will perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland. The Fringe is a three-week festival that dates to 1947 when eight theatre groups arrived uninvited to perform alongside the Edinburgh International Festival, literally on the fringe of the event. By 1958, the Festival Fringe Society was created.
Wallace State will perform “I Am a Pilgrim” Aug.10-12, at St. Paul’s & St. George’s Church at 7 p.m., local time each night (1 p.m. CDT).
Richter expects audiences attending the show will be very receptive.
“We’re bringing a uniquely American form of music to European audiences, and we’ve been told this is what they want to hear us sing,” Richter said.
This will be the program’s second trip to Europe in three years. In 2023, the groups traveled to Germany, Austria and Italy with a similarly themed performance, “Down by the Riverside.”
Performances will be held Thursday-Saturday, July 23-25, at 7 p.m., at the Betty Leeth Haynes Theatre in the Garlan E. Gudger Student Center. Tickets are a $10 donation for adults and $5 for students and children under 12, and can be purchased at the door or in advance through www.wallacestate.edu/fpa.
For questions or more information about Wallace State’s Fine and Performing Arts programs, call 256-352-8277 or email amy.seymore@wallacestate.edu.
