CULLMAN, Ala. – Cullman Women Sing presented its winter concert, “With a Voice of Singing,” Thursday night at Seventh Street Baptist Church. The concert was free to the public and one of two for the group each year. The group is directed by Laura Doss and is made up of women from around Cullman County and surrounding areas who share the love of singing.
Doss is adjunct faculty at both Samford University and The University of Alabama at Birmingham. The Cullman native has a Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Performance and a Master’s in Education. This is her fourth year serving as director.
“We began rehearsing the music for this concert since August,” Doss said. “We kind of follow the school schedule. The ladies meet once a week and we have a wonderful time. We are thankful that St. John’s Evangelical Church allowed us to practice there.”
Cullman Women Sing will take a short break to enjoy the holidays and will begin rehearsals in January for its spring concert.
The winter concert showcased the range of talent as the women performed classical pieces as well as more contemporary selections.
Doss said, “I only pick things that I like, and I choose songs based on the talent of our members. I do like to give them a challenge.”
Kristi Warden, who recently moved to Cullman, is also a graduate of Samford as well as The University of North Texas. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music and a Master’s of Music in Organ Performance. She provided piano and organ accompaniment throughout the concert.
The women’s voices filled the sanctuary and took the audience on an emotional journey.
Several selections featured performances by Clare Bevensee on cello and Karalyn Harper on violin. Both young women are former students of Doss from The Alabama School of Fine Arts and the top string players in the state.
Ruben Burgos accompanied the ladies on drums for their performances of “Joy to the World” and “Comfort and Joy.”
Cullman Women Sing also performed a fun set of Beatles tunes including “Penny Lane,” “Blackbird,” “The Long and Winding Road” and “Here Comes the Sun” that the packed sanctuary loved.
Cullman Women Sing members are Karen Andrews, Charlotte Blakely, Marquita Boike, Patti Bostik, Nikki Burgos, Renee Carr, Meghan Casey, Lydia Corry, Susan Eddleman, Meg Glover, Marci Green, Janna Henderson, Vickie Hicks, Julia James, Susan Johnson, Dianne Knight, Debra Laslie, Leah Doss Lewis, Susan McBrayer, Christa McCrorie, Holly McLeod, Kristina Ostberg, Becky Persons, Linda Schgier, Sheila Sizemore, Becky Tankeret, Cara Thomas, Jackie Thrasher and Joan von Lehe.
On handbells are Amy Gibbs, Ann Lewis, Neal McLeod, Lavell Thrasher, Melody Westmoreland and Rachel White.
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