News        from ABAC

Michael D. Chason Director of Public Relations ABAC 30 -- 2802 Moore Highway Tifton, GA 31793-2601 Phone 229-391-5055 Fax 229-391-5056 mchason@abac.edu

IMMEDIATE NOVEMBER 18, 2008

Dr. David Johnson, Professor Emeritus at Valdosta State University

ABAC Choral Program Hosts High School Choral Day November 22

TIFTON-High school choral students from across the state of Georgia will present a free concert on Nov. 22 at 4 p.m. in Howard Auditorium on the campus of Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.

ABAC Choral Program Director Susan Roe said the students will be on campus all day attending the second annual Choral Day event where they will receive special instruction from Dr. David Johnson, Professor Emeritus at Valdosta State University.

Johnson served VSU for 23 years as Director of Choral Activities and retired in 2006 from full-time teaching.  He continues to teach private voice at VSU and serves as President of the VSU Music Scholarship Alliance.    

Still very active in the development of choral students, Johnson participated in five GMEA Choral Festivals this spring.  In January, he organized the Sine Nomine Singers of Valdosta. This choral ensemble is a semi-professional group of 21 singers from Valdosta and surrounding areas including Homerville, Nashville and Madison, FL. The singers were selected because of their musicianship, their vocal ability and their desire to achieve excellence in choral performance.

Johnson also serves as Director of Music at Trinity Presbyterian Church, a position he has occupied for 20 years. He directs the Chancel Choir, the Chancel Ringers and the Youth Choir.  

High school directors and choirs participating in this year's event include Susan Beck, Crisp County High School, Trey Giddens, Berrien County High School, Kevin Blaise, Lee County High School, Jillian Baxter, Albany High School, Joanie Davis, Irwin County High School, Rebecca Mullican, Valdosta High School, Michelle Hutchinson, Worth County High School, and Stan Smith, Northeast Campus TCHS.

The ABAC Chamber Singers and the ABAC Jazz Choir will also participate in the concert.  It is open to anyone who would like to attend at no charge.

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