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'Once-in-a-lifetime' event
Published December 15, 2009
Celebrate Albertville was a “once-in-a-lifetime” event.
Directed by award-winning Chicago choreographer Mike Weaver, Celebrate Albertville featured alumni from classes ranging from 1969 to 2009 in a Broadway-style show incorporating live performances, professional lighting and video.
Students presently in Albertville band and show choir programs performed alongside the alumni.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see all this come together,” Albertville High School choral director Scott Rains said.
Celebrate Albertville Chairman Tony Cochran felt the excitement backstage just prior to the event.
“If that enthusiasm comes across on stage, this is going to be an amazing night,” Cochran said.
That enthusiasm did come across on stage, and it was an amazing night.
Celebrate Albertville opened with members of the AHS Chorus, Albertville Middle School Chorus and Alumni Chorus bathed in amber light, donning white robes and holding candlelight in their hands to “Bless This House.” They soon followed with an energetic medley featuring the song “Celebration” as choir members clapped, danced and sang on stage and in the aisles among the seated audience.
Emmy-awarding broadcaster and 1990 AHS graduate Jonathan Killian emceed the event and thanked everyone who “helped build this house.”
Alabama Rep. Frank McDaniel spoke briefly, saying, “We’ve got to be the envy of a lot of places in the state of Alabama.”
The choruses then filled the stage, singing “One Shining Moment,” while video showing construction of the Fine Arts Center played simultaneously. The architects of the facility were brought on stage for recognition following the song.
State Sen. Hinton Mitchem then spoke, saying, “There’s no place like this place right here.”
Christopher Joel Carter IV, a 2000 grad and a winner of the 2008 Liberace Piano Competition, delivered a scintillating performance on the piano. Carter received three ovations during his performance entitled “Alabama Jubilee” and a standing ovation afterward.
Leah Martin, a 1999 grad, sang the song “Dreamer,” glowing in a white gown. Her father, 1969 grad Darry Martin, performed two dance numbers with his partner Harriet Hunley. Leah has performed on stage since age 2, while Darry is a national champion in competitive ballroom dance.
The highlight of the night was a stirring medley from the musical “Les Miserables.” 2006 grad Tara Cochran, 1994 grad Kristoffer Lowe, 1996 grad Gabe Belyeu and 2005 grad Tracy Rogers were featured artists for the medley before being joined by the AHS chorus for the rousing finale. The “Les Miserables” performance received a standing ovation.
Special guest Pat Upton followed with a performance of his 1969 hit with the band Spiral Starecase, “More Today Than Yesterday.”
Throughout the night, Albertville alumni appeared on video reminiscing and talking about what the community, the school and the teachers meant to them, and thanked the city for supporting the fine arts center.
“I really believe a lot of people are going to respect Albertville more,” Rogers said.
Cochran then spoke briefly before WAFF Chief Meteorologist Brad Travis appeared on video to deliver a weather update, predicting 2 feet of snow for Albertville. Travis was actually introducing the final musical performance of the night, “Winter Wonderland,” by the entire cast of Celebrate Albertville and the AHS Wind Ensemble.
The holiday-themed finale ended with faux snow falling on stage and the crowd standing in applause.
It was a perfect ending to what officials hope is the first of many amazing shows at the Albertville Fine Arts Center.
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