As part of an eight-city concert tour, the Mississippi Baptist All-State Youth Choir and Orchestra will perform at Greenwood’s First Baptist Church Saturday.
Admission to the concert, which begins at noon, is free, and all are welcome.
Barry Bouchillon, the minister of music at First Baptist, said it would be the church’s first time to host the group.
The youth choir and orchestra are an auditioned group and contain more than 100 talented ninth- through 12th-graders from across the state.
According to a brochure, the choir and orchestra aim to share their love for Christ through music.
“I’m always very impressed when I see them perform,” said Bouchillon.
Since the group is so good, it’s usually hard to book them, he said.
The choir and orchestra have given performances over the years in churches, jails and nursing homes throughout the Southeast.
Bouchillon said the Greenwood church was especially excited because one of its own members is in the choir.
Alexa Osborn, the 18-year-old daughter of Amy and Jim Osborn of Greenwood, sings in the youth choir and plays violin in the orchestra.
It is Alexa’s fourth year being a part of the Mississippi Baptist youth group, her mother said.
“If she’s not singing, she’s rehearsing music,” said Mrs. Osborn. “It’s one of the hardest weeks of the year.”
Participants attended a brief camp that began Monday at William Carey University in Hattiesburg. They rehearsed there until their first concert on Wednesday.
“It’s amazing what they do in such a short period of time,” said Mrs. Osborn, who complimented the work of the directors and coordinator.
Because Alexa is one of 28 youth who get double duty in the program, she gets mailed sheet music in addition to song lyrics, said her mother.
The concert on Saturday will last approximately one hour. The group is scheduled to give an evening concert the same day in Starkville.
Mrs. Osborn said that although the choir and orchestra are demanding of her daughter and the other members, “it’s the most awesome thing she does, and she loves it.”
• Contact Chloe Ricks at 581-7124 or cricks@gwcommonwealth.com.
