Hartford Memorial Baptist Church Presents University of Michigan Men’s Glee Club

By Laydell Wood Harper/Tell Us Detroit

DETROIT (Tell Us Det) - Hartford Memorial Baptist Church will present “Brothers in Song” featuring the University of Michigan Men’s Glee Club performing for the first time at an African American Church. This will be a collaborative concert that will include the Detroit School of Arts Vision Male Ensemble, Hartford Male Chorus. This outstanding musical performance will be held at Hartford Memorial Baptist Church, Friday, November 2, at 7 pm. Admission is free.

The University of Michigan Men’s Glee Club (UMMGC), founded in 1859 is the second oldest collegiate chorus in the United States. Its 100 members are undergraduate and graduate students drawn from the 17 schools and colleges at the University of Michigan. Well-known for entertaining performances of music that spans Renaissance motets, African-American spirituals, and American folksongs and show tunes.

Dr. Eugene Rogers is the UMMGC conductor and its second African American music director. Dr. Willis Patterson directed the group from 1969-75. Dr. Rogers is the Associate Director of Choirs at U of M and also conducts the University Choir. His past appointments include Macalester College (St. Paul, Minnesota) the Boys Choir of Harlem (New York City) and Anima Young Singers of Greater Chicago. He has conducted and lectured in 15 states and abroad--Canada, Singapore, England, Portugal, Hong Kong and Italy. Having studied the choral traditions of Tanzania, East Africa, he published three editions of Tanzanian Choral Music under the Hal Leonard World Music Series. Dr. Rogers is the Artistic Director of the Disneyland Hong Kong Winter Choral Festival and has shown an affinity for music of all cultures..

Brothers in Song is a UMMGC initiative, begun in 2009, that engages a high school with underrepresented minority students and has successfully partnered with three Detroit high schools Southfield, Cass Tech and Renaissance High Schools. Detroit School of Arts is the Brothers in Song Partner in 2012, participating in music workshops, joint rehearsals and concerts to promote mutual learning and growth through music. The program provides transportation, arranges campus tours and helps facilitate interactions between high school students and admissions officers from the University of Michigan.

The Hartford Church Male Chorus consists of over 40 men from diverse occupations including medical doctors, entrepreneurs, attorneys, skilled tradesmen, etc. who are actively involved in the overall music ministry at Hartford Memorial Baptist Church. Under the directorship of Dr. Stanley Waldon, retired Detroit Public Schools principal, music director, pianist and accompanist, and the Male Chorus has performed four times at Union Chapel, Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, and was presented in Concert in Ontario, Canada garnering high acclaim.

Dr. Charles G. Adams, Pastor, Hartford Memorial Baptist Church and retired Professor of the Practice and Ethics of Ministry at Harvard Divinity School, is an alumnus of University of Michigan. As an undergraduate he sang with UMMGC and performed as tenor soloist. He also brought carloads of fellow students to Hartford Church to hear Paul Robeson, internationally acclaimed singer, actor and fighter for social justice. During 43 years as Pastor, he continues to present programs and performers of the highest level at Hartford free of charge.

University of Michigan Alumni at Hartford number close to 100 and we count on your generous support of this momentous occasion. To all Hartford members and friends, we invite your active participation and support. Additionally, we appeal to the local U of M Alumni Chapters to publicize this event, attend in large numbers and make financial contributions to help make this concert an overwhelming success. Patrons at the $100 will be acknowledged in the program but donations at all levels are welcomed Sundays and during the week. We accept payment by check (payable to Hartford Church marked UMMGC) and placed in the offering plate. Credit card payments are acceptable at the Church Bookstore and Resource Center Sundays after each service, Tuesdays, 4-8pm and Wednesdays 12-8pm. Checks or credit card payments can be made daily from 9am-5-pm at the Church Administration Office, 18900 James Couzens. Also payment can be made via the Hartford website, www.hartfordchurchdetroit.org. For more information call Edith Clifton at 861.1300 Ext 433.