A musical extravaganza is promised at the 53rd Annual Memorial Concert sponsored by the Georgia Laster Association of Musicians, Inc. (G.L.A.M., Inc.) on Saturday, November 11, at 3 p.m., at Founder’s Church of Religious Science, located at 3281 West 6th St., in Los Angeles.
The free concert, held in the edifice designed by legendary architect Paul R. Williams, will honor Dr. Albert McNeil, founder and director of the Albert McNeil Jubilee Singers, and Dorothy Jackson Hayes, renowned educator and choral director.
G.L.A.M. President Yolanda West credited the McNeil and Jackson Hayes as leaving “an indelible print in the fabric of our organization.” Both Dr. McNeil and Ms. Jackson-Hayes passed away in 2022.
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The program will feature musical tributes to the honorees. Soloists include Ashely Faatoalia, tenor; Perry Hayes, baritone; and Sylvia Boyd, jazz vocalist. The Albert McNeil Jubilee Singers will also perform.
A variety of musical genres will be displayed. Selections will range from “Com’è gentil” from the opera Don Pasquale to “Someone to Watch Over Me Music” by George and Ira Gershwin to “The Negro Speaks of Rivers” arranged by Howard Swanson and “Worthy To Be Praised” arranged by Byron J. Smith.
In addition, several people will present spoken memorials to Jackson-Hayes and McNeil including Melanie Jackson, daughter of Jackson Hayes; Dr. A. Phoenix Delgato, USC Thornton School of Music; and Virginia White, an original member of the Albert McNeil Jubilee Singers.
The event serves as a fundraiser for the organization’s annual High School Scholarship Competition. Rebecca Clarke, a 2023 winner will play a musical tribute on the piano.
Gertrude Bradley is the vice president of GLAM and Rosemarie Cook-Glover, Melissa Cook , Sandra Wheeler, and Connie Bass are members of the program planning committee.
For more information, or to donate to G.L.A.M., visit glamincla.org.
