James is regarded as having bridged the gap between rhythm and blues and rock and roll, and is the winner of six Grammys and 17 Blues Music Awards. She was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1993, the Blues Hall of Fame in 2001, and the Grammy Hall of Fame in both 1999 and 2008. Rolling Stone ranked James number 22 on their list of the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time and number 62 on the list of the 100 Greatest Artists.

James recorded under the Chess subsidiary label Argo (later Cadet) and had her first hit singles on duets with Fuqua including “If I Can’t Have You” and “Spoonful”. Her first solo hit was the doo-wop styled rhythm and blues number, “All I Could Do Was Cry”, which became a number two R&B hit.  The first ballad James recorded was “My Dearest Darling”, which peaked in the top five of the R&B chart. Also notable, James helped sing background vocals on label mate Chuck Berry’s “Back in the USA”.

Her debut album, At Last!, was released in late 1960 and was noted for its varied choice in music from jazz standards to blues numbers to doo-wop and R&B. The album also included James’ future classic, “I Just Want to Make Love to You” and “A Sunday Kind of Love”.

In early 1961, James released what was to become her signature song, “At Last”, which reached number two on the R&B chart and number 47 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song wasn’t as successful as expected, but became one of her most cherished songs. James followed up with “Trust in Me”, which also included string instruments.

Later that same year, James released a second studio album, The Second Time Around. The album took the same direction as her previous album, covering many jazz and pop standards, and using strings on many of the songs spawning two hit singles, “The Fool That I Am” and “Don’t Cry Baby.”

James started adding gospel elements in her music the following year releasing “Something’s Got a Hold on Me”, which peaked at number four on the R&B chart and a top 40 pop hit.  That success was quickly followed by “Stop the Wedding”, which reached number six on the R&B charts which featured many gospel elements. In 1963, she had another major hit with “Pushover” and released the live album Etta James Rocks the House, recorded at the New Era Club in Nashville, Tennessee.

As the years went on James’ career started to suffer after 1965. After a period of isolation, James returned to recording in 1967 and reemerged with more ballsy R&B numbers thanks to her recording at the legendary Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama where she released her comeback hit “Tell Mama”. She co-wrote the song with Clarence Carter and it scored a top ten slot on the R&B charts and a top twenty on the pop charts.

She released and album of the same name that year and included her take of Otis Redding’s “Security”. The B-side of “Tell Mama” was “I’d Rather Go Blind” also made it’s way onto the album and became a blues classic in its own right.

Following this success, James became an on-demand concert performer though she never again reached the heyday of her early-to-mid 1960s success. She continued to chart in the R&B Top 40 in the early 1970s with singles such as “Losers Weepers” (1970) and “I Found a Love” (1972).

Though James continued to record for Chess, she was devastated by the death of Chess founder Leonard Chess in 1969. James ventured into rock and funk with the release of her self-titled album in 1973 with production from famed rock producer Gabriel Mekler, who had worked with Steppenwolf and Janis Joplin, Gabriel was a fan of James and had covered “Tell Mama” in concert. The album was very diverse musically and was nominated for a Grammy Award.

However, James eventually left Chess Records and didn’t record for another ten years as she struggled with drug addiction and alcoholism for the better part of a decade.

In 1989 James signed with Island Records and released the album Seven Year Itch. She released a second album titled Stickin’ to My Guns. Both albums were recorded at FAME Studios. 

In 1993 James was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. James signed with Private Music Records that year and recorded the Billie Holiday tribute album Mystery Lady: Songs of Billie Holiday. The album later set a trend in her music in which she incorporated more jazz elements. The album won James her first Grammy Award for best jazz vocal performance in 1994. In 1995 she recorded the album Time After Time. Three years later she issued the Christmas album Etta James Christmas in 1998.

In 2001 ,she was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame and the Rockabilly Hall of Fame, the latter for her contributions to the developments of both rock and roll music and rockabilly. In 2003, she received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Her 2004 release, Blue Gardenia, returned James to a jazz music style. James’ final album for Private Music, Let’s Roll, was released in 2005 and won James a Grammy for best contemporary blues album.

In 2008, James was portrayed by Beyoncé Knowles in the film, Cadillac Records, loosely based on the rise and fall of James’ label of 18 years, Chess Records, and how label founder and producer Leonard Chess helped the career of James and other label mates, though it was noted that James was successful prior to her signing with Chess Records.  James claimed she “can’t stand Beyoncé” and that Knowles would “get her ass whipped”.  James later said that her remarks about Knowles were a joke but admitted she was hurt that she was not invited to sing her song and that she could’ve performed it better.

In April 2009, the 71-year-old James made her final television appearance performing “At Last” during an appearance on Dancing with the Stars. In May 2009, James received the Soul/Blues Female Artist of the Year award from the Blues Foundation, the ninth time James had won the award. James carried on touring but by 2010 had to cancel concert dates due to her gradually failing health after it was revealed that she was suffering from dementia and leukemia. In November 2011, James released her final album, The Dreamer, which was critically acclaimed upon its release. James announced that this would be her final album.

She was diagnosed with leukemia in early 2011. The illness became terminal and she died on January 20, 2012, just five days before her 74th birthday, at Riverside Community Hospital in Riverside, California.

“Soul Train”, one of the longest-running shows in television history, played a critical role in spreading the music of black America to the world, offering wide exposure to musicians like James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, and Michael Jackson in the 1970s and ’80s.

“ “Soul Train” created an outlet for black artists that never would have been if it hadn’t been for Cornelius”, said Kenny Gamble, who with his partner, Leon Huff, created the Philly soul sound and wrote the theme song for the show. “It was a tremendous export from America to the world that showed African-American life and the joy of music and dance and it brought people together.”

News of Mr. Cornelius’s death prompted an outpouring of tributes from civil rights leaders, musicians, entrepreneurs, academics and writers.

Mr. Cornelius, a former disc jockey, created “Soul Train” in 1970 for the Chicago television station WCIU and served as its writer, producer and host. It became a local sensation, from which he moved the show to Los Angeles and began broadcasting nationally in 1971, beginning a 35-year run in syndication.

In its heyday it was a formative experience every Saturday morning for young people of all backgrounds and afforded some of the most important soul and R&B acts their first national television exposure. It was also a platform for white rock musicians like Elton John and David Bowie to reach black audiences.

Beyond music, “Soul Train” showcased dances and clothing styles popular at the time among young blacks. It laid the groundwork for dance programs today.

Born in Chicago on Sept. 27, 1936, Mr. Cornelius had an early craving to go into broadcasting. In 1966 he gave up a career selling insurance and cars to take a three-month broadcast course. As a deep baritone, he landed a job as a substitute disc jockey at WVON in Chicago and later as a sports anchor on the television program “A Black’s View of the News.” He produced the “Soul Train” pilot with $400 of his own money, taking the title from a road show he had created for local high schools.

“ “Soul Train” was developed as a radio show on television,” Mr. Cornelius told The New York Times in 1995. “It was the radio show that I always wanted and never had. I selected the music-and still do- by simply seeing what had chart success.”

He said the show was originally patterned on Dick Clark’s “American Bandstand,” but with a focus on black music, fashion and dance. “There was not a type of programming that targeted any particular ethnicity,” he told The Associated Press in 2006. “I’m trying to use euphemisms here, trying to avoid saying there was no television for black folks, which they knew was for them.”

The formula for the show did not change much over the years though the sets were updated and the music evolved from Motown to funk and eventually to rap. As the host every week, Mr. Cornelius, tall and powerfully built, would play the hottest songs and corral a few performers to be interviewed. They would do a song or two, sometimes live, sometimes lip-synching. He signed off each show by intoning “Love, peace and soul.”

Mr. Cornelius stepped down as host in 1993, handing the reins to a series of actors, comedians and other guest hosts. “I took myself off because I just felt that 22 years was enough and that the audience was changing and I wasn’t,” he said.

Enter Salisbury’s soulful songbird, Micah Cottingham. In this follow up, we explored how she has grown since our first encounter with the Salisbury native.

Now in her junior year at Catawba College, Micah wishes to send her music into to the world with the goal that it will touch someone in some way. The soulful singer blends the styles of Jazz and Acoustic Rock into a harmonious mix that is truly one of a kind. Coming from a musical family, Micah expressed that her love for music was not merely a hobby but a passion that was rooted into her from birth. A smile came upon her face as Micah spoke of the love and passion that her family exhibits, “My mom loves music though she has never performed it. My brother, he plays and he sings but he’d never tell you that” and her late father from whom her passion was sparked from, “Actually, my dad was a singer/ songwriter. He wrote a few songs back in the sixties and seventies that were on the radio and ever since I was young I have been surrounded by music.”

Though Micah contributes her interest in music to her family, she states the inspiration behind her music was driven from her experiences growing up. “A lot of stuff people my age don’t get a chance to go through or just don’t experience till they are older.” She uses these experiences to craft songs that people from all backgrounds can relate to.

Her music can be compared to Blue-Eyed Soul musicians such as John Mayer and Natasha Beddingfield, with clean memorable instrumentation providing the perfect lining for her delicately sung lyrics of love, honesty, and life. With a voice so light, yet so defined; she entrances audiences with lulling lyrics that speak every emotion Micah wishes to convey. “As an artist I’m very emotionally open. I don’t hold back much, very blunt. But as a person you would think I am very reserved. So as an artist it is a very open slate.” And it is that openness which draws people to her music.

At Catawba, Micah majors in popular music and has been involved in everything from The Vernaculars bands to the Catawba Singers. This is a testament to her musical diversity, as it uncommon to find musicians who practice genres so completely opposite of one another.  However, she makes it work for her, listening to what her heart tells her to do rather than the opinions of others. When asked what the term “Own the Mic” meant to her, she replied “It means do your own thing. Do you own thing and stick to it and don’t be shy about it. It doesn’t matter what anybody else thinks, just stick to your guns.”

As for long term goals, Micah stated how she wanted her music to be a beckon of hope for people in the world, “I’d like it to be something international. I want to help people. I mean I love singing and playing for myself, but I also want to help others; to be a vessel for them.”

What’s next for the songbird, only the time will tell. But it is known for certain that Micah Cottingham is a strong, passionate musician who sticks to her beliefs no matter what… and she Owns the Mic.

This choir includes Dolly Parton and Queen Latifah.  GG Sparrows’ (played by Dolly Parton) husband ends up dying and leaving an open position for the choir director to be filled.  GG wants it to be her, but the board of the church wants Vi Rose Hill (Queen Latifah) to take it over.

After the funeral of GG Sparrows’ husband, Randy Garrity, GG Sparrow’s grandson comes home because his mom kicked him out of their house in New York.  Randy has a crush on Olivia Hill, Vi Rose’s daughter, and she thinks that there is nothing worse than the two of them hanging out, better yet dating.  Not only does Vi Rose think that Randy’s presence is bad, but the whole church does too.  Olivia has a brother, Walter Hill, who has a severe case of Asperger’s syndrome, which is really taking a toll on the family.  Randy is able to show Walter that he can have friends and be able to trust people, even if they have a disability.

Vi Rose is married to a soldier named Marcus Hill.  He joined the military because he didn’t have a job, and thought that Vi Rose was disappointed in him and just left her.  He left her with two children, one of them having a disability.  Vi Rose had to get another job; while working as the choir director, she was also a nurse.

Randy likes Olivia and Olivia likes Randy.  They both start hanging out. Once Vi Rose finds this out, she bands it from happening anymore.

The choir goes to the regional competition and they lose.  They decide not to give up, although the church has already decided that they are going to use the money that they use for transportation to these events for something else.  The choir that won at regionals gets disqualified because they were using professional people in their group, resulting in Pacashaw getting to go to Los Angeles.

They tried to figure out who their competition was, but they weren’t able to find out until the actual day of the competition.  They found out that the groups they were going up against were a bunch of little kids, which disappointed them.  They thought that if they beat them, they would look bad, and if they lost to them, they would look like they lost to a bunch of kids. Either way, they weren’t going to win.  They ended up going out there and rocking the stage after Vi Rose gave them a huge pep talk, winning the entire competition.

In the end, Marcus came home to stay with his family. Randy and Olivia started dating after Vi Rose finally notices all the good things that Randy has done for her family. GG is happy once again, and the church finally gets noticed in the small town of Pacashaw.

I think that this movie was a great one.  There are some parts that will have you laughing and some parts that will make you cry.  There is a part of the movie that explained to me what people in a family with a child that has disabilities goes through after one of the parents leave.  This movie also explains that there are good and bad people in the world, and that you can’t trust everyone.

Iliana Rivera is, as she describes herself, someone who really likes to have fun and loves to sing. Hailing from Burlington, NC, she is a free spirited, fun-loving young woman who aspires to obtain a career in theatre. The youngest of four children, Iliana demonstrates a wisdom and independence that is rarely seen from the “youngest” sibling. She credits this to her parents, whom she said laid the foundation for her character. “Whatever dreams I ever wanted to do, they were always there to support me. But, they were always there to bring me back down to earth and show me the reality in things,” she said.

“All I really want to do is make music in some way in the world. I’d rather do what I love than be miserable all the time.” It is that love for music that steered Iliana to pursue the art of musical theatre. Throughout her first two years in high school, her main focus was volleyball. In fact, she did not become serious with her passion until the end of her sophomore year of high school. “I’ve only been doing theater for roughly three years,” she chuckled. And, even though a life in theatre was not her childhood dream so to say, it is the dream of the young adult that she has grown to be.

She explained that she did not have any particular actor or actress in theatre to serve as an inspiration to her, but the love of performing fuels her passion. It was that very passion which led her to decide to major in musical theatre at Catawba College. When asked why she chose Catawba over any other school, she stated, “As soon as I stepped on campus, it felt like home.” She described the welcoming feeling she received from the students at Catawba, whom she barely knew, and that it surprised her how friendly and stress-free everyone seemed to be on campus.

Now, in her freshman year at Cat-U, Iliana will have the opportunity to star in the semester musical Huckleberry Finn, the major musical of the year, held at Keppel Auditorium. When asked what she was most excited for, in terms of being cast, she explained, “I am excited just to see how good it is to perform in a musical. When I came to visit, I saw Hello Dolly!, and I said, ‘I want to be in a production like that’.” She then went on to say, “I hope to influence someone coming to see the show, maybe a perspective to go (say)…I want to be here because of this.”

Not only is Iliana an active member of the Catawba theatre program, but she is also a member of the “all girl group” Le Femme: a power house of musical divas who follow the motto that girls can rock just as much as guys. Iliana was the only freshmen to make the cut for the popular band, comprised of veterans from the popular music bands of The Vernaculars (the small ensembles of music business). She says, “Well, seeing as I have never worked with a band, it definitely helped me grow as a musician… to hear when to come in, and to hear the beats actually behind me. Working with Le Femme has been a lot of fun, and they’re really nice and really funny. At first, I thought it were gonna be really intimidating and they weren’t gonna be very nice, but they are some of the nicest people I have ever met.”

With this involvement in such a know group, the question rose about Iliana’s interest in a possible career in music. And though she admits that she would love to potentially venture more into music, theatre stills stands as her first passion. Therefore, she intends to put her main energy into developing a career in acting that she could be happy with. “My long-term goals in a perfect world would be to make it on Broadway. But, I do understand that… that may not happen. So I would just love to travel with any company in New York or Kentucky or anywhere there is a reputable theatre program.”

It is clear that Iliana knows how far she has come and knows exactly where she is going. And, regardless of how far theatre may take her, she finds joy in knowing that she is doing what is close to her heart. Iliana Rivera is sure to be someone to take up the spotlight in theatres worldwide.

Christopher “Yung Citizen” Williams, a city boy from Charlotte, NC, has aspirations of becoming a world renowned producer, a dream he discovered while still in high school. However, even though he began making music in high school, this was not the first time he was introduced to the possibility of a career in music. His maternal uncle serves as a music teacher and his paternal uncle works for the famous music production company, MTV, and previously worked for Universal Records. Chris explained that along with their regular jobs in the industry, both of his uncles also are active in music production. “I was inspired by them; they showed me I could make a living with music.”

However, Chris still had to prove to his parents that music was the right path for him. “At first, my parents were against me pursuing music, but after they saw how dedicated and serious I was, I earned their approval.”

From my sit down with Chris, I concluded that music was not just a calling for him. It also serves as a form of therapy for him. Chris told of how he was teased when he was younger because he was the “quiet boy”, something he dealt with throughout his childhood and even in high school. But music was the driving force behind Chris gaining better self-confidence and growing into a musician who voices his opinions and stands behind them.

Now he uses his voice and creativity to mold his artistry into something to be rivaled with. A musical style which he describes as Hip Hop/R&B infused with the elements of pop and electronica, Chris works to create a truly unique sound, unmatched by many of his peers. He helped mold his individual style with influences by the producing styles of The Neptunes, recording artist Pharrell Williams’s production team.

“I’m inspired by many types of music, many types of artists. I listen to jazz and rock as well; it’s not always about hip hop and r&b. I listen to this group called the Black Keys; they’re an Indie- Rock Blues band. They have their own sound which is tremendous to me; it is really unbelievable. When I listen to them, I just can’t help but be inspired.”

Chris’s persistence has paid off, taking him to even greater heights. In the summer of 2010, Chris was offered the opportunity to intern at a Manhattan, NY studio. “It was the best experience of my life,” he said. He explained his experiences from time spent in New York, where he began his tenure acting as an assistant to gaining the opportunity to manage the studio his last four weeks.

Chris has also added managing to his credits with the band URB’NSOL of The Vernaculars ensembles, a group he created in the summer of 2009. Since then, the band has been entertaining both the Catawba community and surrounding areas.

Chris shared some background on the beginnings of the group: “URB’NSOL came alive two years ago during the spring semester. We had a lot of band[s], but they were all rock for the most part. So I approached Dr. Fish in my World Music class and said, “Hey, we need to change it up a little bit… why don’t we [also] do hip hop and r&b [groups], because I’m really getting tired of the Vernaculars being strictly rock.”

“…He told me to come up with a plan and that following weekend I did just that. I made a power point explaining my entire vision. I showed him the plan, and he was really impressed and he gave me the O.K. to arrange everything. So during the summer, I made all of the plans, made posters, etc. I pretty much formed the band in the fall. Since then, [the group] has been giving Catawba the experience of hip hop and soul music. URB’NSOL has performed acts ranging from Motown to Earth Wind and Fire. This group has become such a staple and will remain a key band in The Vernaculars even after I graduate. This was one of my greatest accomplishments at Catawba College and I appreciate Dr. Fish for allowing me to do so”.

After a brief hiatus, URBN’SOL will make its return to the Catawba community, bringing back familiar faces as well as new ones. “I think it is going be a great reunion…I think it is going to be a great semester. I believe we will blow people’s minds this semester. We’re going to work hard and improve on what we do,” Chris said.

It has been quite a journey for Chris Williams/ Yung Citizen. He has accomplished much but still destined for much more.
When asked what Own the Mic meant to him, he responded, “Own the Mic means to me.. to have the confidence and the grind to be the best artist, producer, [and] musician you can be. Own the Mic can mean many things. Mic is kind of like a figure of speech. It’s not just owning a mic, it’s owning the music.”

His name is Chris Williams A.K.A Yung Citizen, and he Owns’ the Mic.

Catawba College has not had a working radio station since 1986 graduate Benjamin “Benjy” Hamm served as station manager and radio DJ to WNDN. Now the only station that is broadcasted is Memories 1280 AM that serves as the source for the community to follow Catawba College’s football and basketball teams.

My plans for The Feather are to revive this media outlet once more, and most importantly, pass it down so that it will continue once I graduate. This idea started when I was asked to come up with a senior project before I graduated. I automatically thought about starting a radio station on campus because it involved two things I love to do: listening to music and talking. It will be a web based station streaming from Live365.com. The goals of The Feather are to give brief overviews of things happening on campus (focusing in on one topic of choice), playing a wide variety of music, and displaying the talents of fellow Catawba students. The station will start off on Thursday evenings at 5:00 p.m. after everybody is done with their classes. As the semester progresses, I hope to expand those days to at least three times a week. The faces of the radio (besides me that is) are Arsherres Jenkins, Steffi Cook, and Rashad Brown. We have also created a fan page on Facebook, as well as a Twitter page, so that we can get the word out about upcoming stories, polls so the student body can let us know what they want to hear about, and help spread word of this new outlet.

There will be a brief general interest meeting for anybody who would like to submit songs and/or poetry they may have written on Wednesday, January 18th in the Student Center at 7:00 p.m. We will go over the guidelines that must be followed before you submit content and see who all would be interested in submitting any. If you have any questions, you can contact me at bstokes@catawba.edu.

Link to the Fanpage :

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Feather-Cat-U-Radio/101230369999311?sk=wall
Link to Twitter:

https://twitter.com/#!/TheFeather_CatU

CaLeb Hill has mastered the technique of using his music to connect with audiences of all backgrounds.

The Salisbury native has found his perfect blend of folk, rock, blues, and jazz music through many years of experimentation.

When asked where his interest in music originated, he stated, “I came from an eclectic family, not so much a musical family. And, I didn’t play guitar when I was young because my hands were too small. Actually, it wasn’t until high school that I began playing guitar.”

“However, being in high school, I didn’t have much to do so I would walk around school playing my ukulele… YES, I was that kid walking around high school playing my ukulele. And, whenever it was lunch time, my friend and I would go out to the back of the school trading off instruments and jamming out. And it was just great because everyone would crowd around and enjoy the music.”

As time passed on, CaLeb progressed from doing jam sessions in high school to becoming a popular face in the musical scene of Salisbury. He explained that due to the popularity of the classical/ refined style of music in his hometown, there were not many casual places to listen and perform music other than at bars during karaoke nights.

“I have found opportunities to perform every chance I could. I’ve been arrested and chased for playing music. I even played at my job at the gas station when I could.”

Along with expanding his musical reach, CaLeb made connections with many artists from the surrounding areas. “I have played with a lot of musicians in town. And I stress A LOT.” These connections eventually led him to Dr. Fish at Catawba College. “A friend of mine who worked at another college recommended me to him. At first I thought he was a little skeptical, but after auditioning for him, I managed to win him over.”

Through trial and error, CaLeb has discovered what it takes to be a successful artist. “As an artist, I started out playing in bars and hosting open mics after finishing work in theaters. I kind of left my work at the theater because I could make money through playing music. And, by playing in front of people, it drove me to come up with more things, to get better.” He has even learned creative ways to take a negative situation and turn it into a positive one.

“I had an issue with feedback at my last show. And every time I had a feedback, I played it off as a joke. And it just kept running smoothly. There were times that I had to stop what I was doing to turn on my camera because I was recording my show and forgot to turn it on. And, right when I started my first song, I was like, humor me for a second…while I was getting the camera together I kept the audience’s interest with an acapella song that I made up. And at first, people didn’t know what was going on, but then they began to catch on. So, I realized that was a pivotal point in my concert that made it special.”

CaLeb then shared his opinion on live music versus studio music. “I don’t really like much studio music, but I do love to go to live performances. It’s a sort of connection that is built, that you can’t get from listening to a recording. Music ties in with any type of human interaction. I have personally experienced this. It brings people from different musical circles together. People need stimulation in their lives, and music is what helps that happen.”

It is clear that CaLeb has lived the musician’s life that most only wish to sample a taste of, even though he has just begun to scrape the ice of his musical and artistic potential. It is true to say that CaLeb Hill knows what it takes to make it in the entertainment industry and he definitely does OWN THE MIC.

The show will be performed “down the hill” in Catawba’s Florence Busby Corriher black box theatre. The show runs November 29 and December 1 at 1opm and November 30 and December 2 at 7:30pm. We encourage all Catawba college students to come out on the late nights of the performance for a holly, jolly study break! Come out and see these bigger than life characters and “laugh till your sides hurt!”

The Catawba Singers/ Chambers Singers with assistance from faculty and other students continue the tradition of Lessons and Carols as it returns once more to the campus of Catawba College. It will be a night of music and scripture uniting members of the campus and college community alike. The program will be under the direction of Justin Hazelgrove, the new director of the Catawba Singers and Chamber Singers. This will be his first year handling a classic tradition that has become such a staple at the college. Justin adds his personalized touch to some of the classics such as “Adam Lay Ybounden” and “Infant Holy, Infant Lowly” while introducing new pieces such as “Totus Tuos”. This will be the first time in many years that the Catawba Chorale will not be featured in the festivities, predominantly because of the many changes that have took place on campus. The Catawba Singers and Chamber Singers will not disappoint with their tradition and beautiful translation of many classic and new songs.

It has been a labor of love to put together a show in a matter of merely two months. However this time constraint did not deter the members of the two choral ensembles; instead it pushed everyone to show initiative and take personal responsibility to learn material quickly and proficiently. Dustin Shelton, a Junior at Catawba and Secretary to the Catawba Singers/ Chamber Singers Explain his feelings about the events to occur “I am very excited about it. The choir has put forth a great effort and I feel we will all come together and make some wonderful music”.

While music is going to be one of the prominent attractions for people to attend the event, we cannot all forget the main purpose of Lessons and Carols. The service helps to join all in attendance in fellowship during the holiday season. During those few nights, family and friends will reunite, alumni relive tradition, and those who have supported the college over the many years will be able to share the tradition that has been deeply rooted in Catawba College’s history. So I once again ask the question, what sweeter music can be heard? It is not about pretty melodies or playful word, but how these sounds can join people from all around even if only for a brief time.

COME JOIN THE TRADITION … You will not want to miss it!!!