STEUBENVILLE - Wylene Alexander had never performed the solo from the song "I Need Thee" before the rehearsal.
But moments later - her voice soaring high then blending in with the choir - Alexander was comfortable with the song.
Alexander is one of approximately 30 members of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Mass Choir to join their voices to practice for the annual performances to honor and remember the late Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
A choral performance is set for 6 p.m. Jan. 17 at the Second Baptist Church, and the choir also will participate at 6 p.m. Jan. 18 at the church during an ecumenical service.
The featured speaker at the ecumenical service on Jan. 18 will be the Rev. John W. Davis Jr. of the Faith Baptist Church of Gulfport, Miss.
The choir has been performing for 31 years, with the last 30 years under the direction of Delores Wiggins.
"I think the people of the choir come from a cross section of area people. We have people from various churches, different denominations, white and black. The choir is who we are as a community," reflected Wiggins before she urged the choir members to take their places.
"The message Dr. King brought during his life was that he stood for every person. He wanted us to live in a land that was free, without prejudice, and because of him we have come so far today. We will also recognize Barack Obama's presidential election that was also made possible by Rev. King and the civil rights campaigns," said Wiggins.
"If Dr. King was alive today he would be so pleased and satisfied with Obama's election. He wouldn't have been surprised because he believed in a dream for this country. His dream was for the young people to be who they wanted to be and to go where they wanted to go," added Wiggins.
"We will be singing several Negro spirituals along with gospel songs, hymns and jubilee gospel music. Those are the songs of hope, sadness. Those are the songs that were sang in the the cotton fields," noted Wiggins.
"I feel so much joy in my heart that God has blessed me so when I sing these songs. It is the message of the words of the songs, not the beat of the music. The message is in the words," Wiggins said.
"I truly believe Rev. King was chosen for a time and season, and I believe Barack Obama has been chosen by God for his time and season. We have come closer to the mountain top Rev. King talked about. We aren't there yet but we are close. I never thought I would live to see this day but I will now see Barack Obama inaugurated as president," said Wiggins.
She noted she has been honored to direct the choir for the past 30 years.
"I have directed several generations of the same families - the Suggs, Slappys and Owens - at least four generations. That has been the joyous part of my music ministry," said Wiggins.
Elise Rainbow has been singing in the MLK Memorial Mass Choir for the past 15 years.
"God has blessed me with a voice, so I sing to proclaim his glory. And I love Mrs. Wiggins and love singing with her," announced Rainbow.
"I feel the anointing power of God when I sing. And when all of us are together I feel God all around us. This choir was formed to honor Dr. King because he paved the way for us," said Rainbow.
This is the second year in the choir for Lisa Thomas of Steubenville.
"I had been away from the area for several years, but when I came back I heard about the choir. Delores is a mentor for me and that's why I first came. Now I lead the children's choir that will perform Jan. 18 at the ecumenical service," explained Thomas.
"When we are singing I feel the message of the songs. I am very much into the words of the songs," noted Thomas.
As the choir members settled into their seats, Wiggins started playing the music for "Nobody Knows the Troubles I've Seen" and after a couple of starts and stops, the choir voices blended together in perfect harmony.
"We'll try 'I Need Thee.' Wylene can you take the solo," asked Wiggins.
As the music faded, Wiggins sat back on her piano bench and smiled.
"I love that song. It is a beautiful song and you all sang beautifully," Wiggins stated.
(Gossett can be contacted at dgossett@heraldstaronline.com.)
