(Posted Oct. 18, 2018)
By Kristy Zurbrick, Madison Editor
Calling all singers!
London resident Teri Gray is amassing two huge choirs, one to sing the National Anthem at a Harlem Globetrotters show in Columbus and another to sing Handel’s “Messiah” at a church in Hilliard. Participation is open to youths and adults. Both performances are scheduled for December.
Gray has taught vocal music in schools and directed church choirs for 40 years. Her career has included stints at Madison-Plains Local Schools and London City Schools, as well as churches in Mount Sterling and London. Currently, she is a vocal coach at Westland High School and the traditional worship leader at Scioto Ridge United Methodist Church in Hilliard.
Gray recently got a call from the Harlem Globetrotters requesting that the Scioto Ridge UMC choir sing the National Anthem at their 1 p.m. show on Dec. 30 at the Schottenstein Center. With permission from the church, Gray opened participation to anyone who is interested, especially anyone she has taught or directed during her career.
“I’ve always wanted to get everyone together in one big choir but never thought I’d have a big enough venue. Now, I do!” she said.
Gray’s goal is to assemble a 100-voice choir. The group will sing the anthem on the basketball court prior to the start of the show. The cost to participate is $21, which includes a seat to watch the show. All choir members will be seated together. If Gray gets at least 75 people to participate, the choir will be photographed with the Globetrotters at half-time.
Gray has chosen a simple arrangement of the anthem and set two rehearsals–Oct. 25 and Dec. 20. Both will take place from 8:30 to 9 p.m. at Scioto Ridge UMC, 4343 Dublin Road, Hilliard. She asks that anyone who wants to perform take part in at least one of the rehearsals.
As if the Globetrotters gig wasn’t enough, Gray also is coordinating Scioto Ridge UMC’s annual performance of the Christmas portion of Handel’s “Messiah.” As with the Globetrotters opportunity, she welcomes participation from anyone who wants to sing.
The performance is set for 7 p.m. Dec. 15. Rehearsals are taking place at the church. Participants are required to purchase their own copies of the “Messiah” (Schirmer edition). The rehearsal schedule is as follows:
* Nov. 1, Nov. 8, Nov. 15 and Nov. 29–8:15-9 p.m.;
* Nov. 20–7-8:30 p.m.;
* Dec. 6–8:15-9:30 p.m.;
* Dec. 13–7-9 p.m. (dress rehearsal).
For more information about the Globetrotters performance or the “Messiah” performance, send an email to Teri Gray at muzakteach@yahoo.com.
