The Wallace concert band was great. The Wallace Singers were fantastic and the Wallace choir was phenomenal! I had an awesome time listening to some great music! Can't wait till next year’s festival!”David Hood
HANCEVILLE – As part of Wallace State Community College’s 50th anniversary celebration, the college hosted a family-friendly music festival, complete with activities and entertainment for people of all ages. The Homegrown Music Festival was held on Saturday, April 30, at the Burrow Center for the Fine and Performing Arts.
“We have so many wonderful things planned for the day,” said Lauren Cantrell Salerno, who headed up the committee that planned the festival. “We will have musicians performing inside the Burrow Center. Student groups and organizations will be on hand, and they will offer information about their programs and some will also use the opportunity as fundraisers for their groups.”
The Homegrown Music Festival was the largest planned event for the college’s 50th anniversary celebration. The first Wallace State classes were held at the George C. Wallace Trade School of Cullman County in the fall of 1966. There were 59 students enrolled in the 11 programs taught by 10 instructors. The first graduates were awarded degrees in 1967.
The festival featured all kinds of musical acts, including Tangerine Tambourine (children's dance band), the WSCC concert band, WSCC Singers, WSCC concert choir, WSCC jazz band, Round 2, Three on a String and the Edd Jones Orchestra.
“My daughter is in the jazz band and the concert band,” said Trina Bailey. “It’s awesome; they are celebrating Wallace’s 50th anniversary today. The music program is wonderful and we get to see all types of beautiful talent. I’ve been here since 11 a.m. this morning; I missed the first act this morning,” she smiled. “The Singers were wonderful and I’m really looking forward to listening to the jazz band in a little while.”
Even though the day’s theme was homegrown music, there was another surprise for the guests Saturday; the Evelyn Burrow Museum was also open for visitors.
“Not only is this a part of Wallace’s 50th anniversary, but it is also our big spring event,” said Kristen Holmes, director, communications and marketing at Wallace State Community College. “It’s a whole day of music with various student groups outside and bounce houses for the children. Every year we celebrate Arts in April and so this is just a special thing for our 50th anniversary celebration. This is the first time we have done this and it’s been really good so far. I think we will have an even bigger crowd later on tonight, so we just might do it again next year. There were lots of people here this morning before we even started the festival. Lots of people have been milling around and going through the museum,” she grinned.
“The Wallace concert band was great,” said David Hood. “The Wallace Singers were fantastic and the Wallace choir was phenomenal! I had an awesome time listening to some great music! Can't wait till next year’s festival!”
