A piece of Orangeburg will travel across the globe this spring in the form of Claflin University's Concert Choir.

The choir was invited to travel to China by Dr. Larry Wyatt, director of choral studies at the University of South Carolina, who is spearheading a choral salute in Beijing.

"I can think of no finer cultural offering for the 2008 Olympic Games than to stage the best of America's singers in a salute to Beijing, the Olympic City," Wyatt said in a recent press release. "We will sing under the banner of 'Perform in Harmony-With Olympic Spirit' in this mystical capital as well as in Shanghai. The Olympic countdown enables us to contribute to creating lasting partnerships between the people of China and America. Our music will showcase the beauty all humanity shared featuring a wonderful massed choir singing great music."

The Olympic Games in Beijing will be held Aug. 8-24. The choral tour will be held June 8-18 and will include stops in Xi'an and Shanghai. Students will be introduced to Chinese culture and history in the imperial city of Xi'an; tour Beijing, China's capital and the heart of the nation's government, economy and culture; and end the trip in Shanghai, China's second-largest and most cosmopolitan city.

Music will be woven throughout the trip as the choir will have the opportunity to sing at historical sites such as the Great Wall in Beijing.

In order for the choir to have the opportunity to go on the tour, they must raise $170,000 by the end of March. Each choir member has been charged with raising $1,000. The choir as a whole has raised more than $15,000 through various fund-raisers.

Individual members of the choir have come up with their own fund-raising ideas, including patron lists and donation letters to family, friends, churches and community organizations.

Senior choir member Andre Lemon chose to use his musical talents in an effort to raise money for the trip.

Lemon was encouraged by his church, Lovely Hill Baptist Church in Holly Hill, to perform in concert.

With the help of fellow Concert Choir members Jennifer Jefferson and Nykki Smalls, and Claflin student Darryl Wilson, Lemon put together an ensemble for the Jan. 26 performance.

Under the theme "Not About Us but It's About Jesus" the ensemble sang several gospel selections including "You Alone Are God," "I'm Still Here" and "Lord You Are Good."

Lemon also sang several solo selections and was accompanied by his older sister Charity on several selections that the two grew up singing.

With the help of donations from the audience, Lemon raised more than $1,000 for the trip.

Lemon started singing with his sister in church in 1992 and later gained an interest in playing the piano. After participating in high school band and chorus, Lemon said he was eager to join the Claflin University Concert Choir.

"I love it because we have a dynamic director in Dr. (Isaiah R.) McGee who helps us to look at the music from a whole different aspect," he said. "He teaches us how to read the music and allow it to become a part of our life. We have to look at it as something that may have happened in our lives and relate that to our audience as we sing."

The traveling and networking opportunities are also a great benefit of being on the choir, he said.

The choir follows a tradition of greatness that began in the late 1800s.

Choral music performances began at Claflin in 1884 under Mrs. L.M. Dunton, wife of the third president of the university. During her twenty-two years of service, Dunton founded the Claflin University Choral Society, the Male Ensemble, the Female Ensemble and the Male Quartet. It was then that the performers began to travel -- raising funds and acting as unofficial ambassadors for Claflin University.

It was during the tenure of Eva Jessye in the 1960s that the choir became known as the Eva Jessye Singers. Claflin University benefited from Jessye's association with George Gershwin in the preparation of the choral scoring of "Porgy and Bess." The Eva Jessye Singers premiered the opera on Broadway and toured with the original touring company. They continued traveling with "Porgy and Bess" while Jessye was associated with the university.

Dr. Frederick Hall, Dr. G. Jefferson Cleveland, Dr. Fredericka Young, Dr. Peter Felder, Dr. Roosevelt Simpkins, Dr. James Wallace and James McDaniel, assisted by Dr. Yvette McDaniel, have all served as directors of the Concert Choir. It was under McDaniel's direction that the choir's first compact disc, "A Tradition of Spirituals," was recorded. The choir has traveled abroad to perform in Italy, Germany, Switzerland, France and Australia.

Today, the Claflin University Concert Choir is composed of 63 members under the direction of McGee, assistant professor of music and director of choral studies.

A native of Anderson, he holds a bachelor's degree from South Carolina State University, a master's of music degree in vocal performance with an emphasis in opera theatre from the University of South Carolina and a Ph.D. in music education with a choral conducting emphasis from Florida State University in Tallahassee, Fla.

"We are very excited about this trip to China," McGee said. "This will be an experience the students will never forget. The experience will expose them to various cultures because of the diversity of the Olympics. This is an opportunity for them to get an education far beyond the walls of Claflin University."

Claflin University is known as a small institution with a big education and the Concert Choir is proud to help fulfill university President Dr. Henry N. Tisdale's vision of taking the university to a global status, he said.

The choir continues its legacy of excellence in performances on campus, at community events and the annual Spring Tour. Previous Spring Tours included several churches and high schools in South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, New York, Canada, and Washington, D.C.

The 12-day voyage to China will be filled with singing, cultural and educational activities, and entertainment.

"I'm going to be done with a degree, so this is sort of a graduation present," said senior Jennifer Jefferson. "It's also the first time out of the country for me."

Junior Petrina Phillips is anticipating the cultural experience the trip will bring.

"I want to do international relations so I think this would fit right into my career goals," she said.

The 25-hour flight will be a first time traveling experience for some.

"There are certain people on the choir that haven't left South Carolina," said senior Quahnkatiere Marshall. "It'll be a good experience for them."

Others believe the opportunity will provide a path for other colleges and universities to follow.

"I think it will set forth a precedence for other Historically Black Colleges and Universities that we can stand with the best and travel and sing," said senior Nykki Smalls. "It will help to destigmatize some African American stereotypes. We can do our music as well as other cultures. We can do all cultures of music, not just spirituals and gospel."

The choir has performed in Latin and German, and will perform in Chinese during the choral tour.

Every student said the choir needs support from the community to make this trip possible and any donations would be appreciated.

The choir has released a CD, "Hallelujah," that is available on campus by calling Dr. Isaiah McGee at 803-535-5234; at the Music Doctor, 1184 Amelia St., Orangeburg, 803-539-2100; and at the Orangeburg County Fine Arts Center, 649 Riverside Drive, Orangeburg, 803-536-4074. The choir also hopes to boost sales of the CD when they perform at area churches to raise funds for the trip.

T&D Features Writer Candace Newson can be reached by e-mail at cnewson@timesanddemocrat.com or by telephone at 803-533-5540. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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