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Lee Singers Mark 50 Years

January 28, 2013—Cleveland, TN–The Lee University Singers today marked 50 years of existence with a special luncheon to honor past directors.

The event was an informal kickoff to the formal 50 year celebration this fall with a weekend of activities scheduled November 1-3 during Lee’s annual Homecoming. Current director of the Lee Singers, Brad Moffett, served as emcee for the event, with current Singers serving as hosts and hostesses.

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Lee Singers Directors (l-r): Walt Mauldin, Brad Moffett, Delton Alford and Jim Burns.

“We could not let this date pass by without some type of recognition,” Moffett said in his opening remarks. “The Kingdom is a richer, better place because of the Lee Singers.”
Moffett introduced the four past directors and two interim directors: Delton Alford (1963-1978), Jim Burns (1978-1988), Steve Holder (fall 1988), Danny Murray (spring 1989), and Walt Mauldin (1989-2006). Moffett took the reins of the choral group following Mauldin.

It was January 28, 1963 when a small group of potential vocalists gathered in the old music building on the Lee College campus to form a new choir that would represent the Church of God school. The group was to be the next generation of the Touring Choir, which had existed for several years under the direction of A.T. Humphries. Leading the new group of new singers was Delton Alford, who was not much older than the vocalists he was commissioned to mentor.

“The Lee Singers is about changing lives through the power of music,” Alford told the crowd of about 100 former Singers. “All of us in this room have experienced it through our involvement with Lee Singers…once the singing gets into your heart the music never stops.” Alford mentioned names of some of the first Singers, including Myrna (McSwain) Alford, Tannis (Alford) Duncan and Jim Burns. All were in attendance for the special recognition.

Alford also commented on the choice of music in that first rehearsal and how the formula has been maintained throughout the first half century of the group. The repertoire included music from the sacred choral traditions, patriotic hymns and choices from convention songbooks of the period.

As part of the luncheon, Moffett recognized the wives of the former directors, noting their unique contributions to the lives of the Singers their husbands directed. The presentation included an “Honorary Singer” award to Tammie Mauldin.

Walt Mauldin was recognized for his 17 years of leadership of the Singers, the longest of the four, with a special “Conductor Emeritus” recognition. Mauldin is currently the vice president of administration at Lee.

“The Lee Singers is a grandiose concept,” he said as he accepted the singular honor. “We have all joined together to impact lives and it is so exciting to see those lives changed…we (Lee Singers) never settled for mediocrity; we strived for nothing less than excellence.”

Moffett closed the gathering with an announcement of events planned for the formal celebration of the Golden Anniversary of the Lee Singers. Highlights include a reunion rehearsal on Friday, November 1, followed by a featured performance during the Homecoming Music Festival the next evening. The weekend of events will conclude with an optional “mini-tour” as the current and former Singers are invited to participate in a reunion choir concert on Sunday, November 3 at the Mount Paran Church of God in Atlanta. Ga. All former members of the Lee Singers are invited to participate.

By Cameron Fisher, Faith News Network