Four Alabama choirs sing at Carnegie Hall

For Adam Traylor, music minister at First Baptist Church, Eufaula, one of his dreams was realized Jan. 22 — to take his choir to sing at Carnegie Hall in New York City. “I’ve sung at Carnegie Hall before, but it’s been a dream come true to sing the songs we’ve sung at church in Carnegie Hall with the people we minister with every day,” Traylor said.

To sing at Carnegie Hall was not only a dream come true for Traylor but also for the more than 100 Alabama Baptists from First, Eufaula, and three other Alabama Baptist churches who joined in an approximately 240-voice choir in True North Presents’ American Gospel Music Celebration. The choir, which was made up of choirs from across the nation, accompanied featured gospel music artists Babbie Mason, Triumphant Quartet and Vocal Union.

“[True North Present’s] desire is to use local church music ministries and to give them a special week together to better themselves musically. But also (their desire is) to bring gospel music into New York City,” Traylor explained. “This whole trip has a greater purpose, which excites us all. We’re not doing it just for the fun of it but for the cause of Christ as well.”

In addition to First, Eufaula, in Barbour Baptist Association, other choirs participating in the concert were from First Baptist Church, Prattville, in Autauga Baptist Association, and Eastern Hills Baptist Church, Montgomery, and Heritage Baptist Church, Montgomery, both in Montgomery Baptist Association.