EDEN — A love for singing, especially for gospel music, has brought together more than two dozen students from Morehead High and Holmes Middle schools.
Ranging in age from 11 to 18, the Eden Youth Unity Choir will perform Friday, March 30, at Morehead High School.
In addition to the choir, Chelsea Callands will perform a mime praise dance, and a variety of solos and duets will be feature different choir members.
Jamie Galloway, who retired from his job with the Social Security Administration last year, says he was “led by the Lord” to organize the group last fall.
“Our kids really didn’t have anything to do after school, and knowing the power of music and how influential it was when I was their age, I wanted to do something to give them purpose,” Galloway said.
The choir practices from 3:45 to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, and any young person who would like to join is welcome.
Many of the group’s members are in choruses at their schools or sing in their church choirs, said Galloway, who is also the choir’s director.
“They are excited,” he said. “They really enjoy singing and love a new song. They also love a song with a good beat. They love to move.”
Holmes seventh-grader Jordan Harris said he is grateful for the opportunity the choir gives him to share and expand his musical talents.
Jordan made his singing debut at Gospel Light Holiness Church when was 3 years old. He has been performing ever since.
“I feel like it is a good thing for us to learn about God and sing his songs,” Harris said. “Mr. Jamie, ever since he started, he has been helping us learn about God. Every day, he reads us a Scripture and, before we leave, he says a prayer with us.”
Jakhia Casey, 15, a sophomore at Morehead, started singing when she was a small child and is in the choir at Rising Star Missionary Baptist Church.
“I think it is a great opportunity for children from all different walks of life to come together as one,” Casey said. “Jamie has a God-given talent that he is using with the kids in the choir.
“I really appreciate Jamie for everything he has done for me and the choir and that he continues to use his gift in the way that the Lord leads him to,” she said.
Galloway, a 1998 graduate of Morehead, was in longtime chorus director Duane Best’s last class at the school. He says that Best retired that year because he knew the Class of 1998 “was his best and he would never have a better one.”
“He was the ‘Best’ of the best,” Galloway said.
The choir’s voices blend in harmony as they primarily perform modern gospel music. Recent performances have included the Bridge Street Recreation Department’s youth program in Eden; a youth revival in Bassett, Va.; and Brookdale Assisted Living in Eden.
Galloway plays piano for the practice sessions and performances. Pastor Jonta Martin of Eden will emcee Friday’s program.
After Galloway got sick and had to retire, he was in a wheelchair after a leg amputation. He started asking people in the area about forming a choir. Several said they had tried to do it several years ago but nothing happened.
In July, Galloway approached the principals at Morehead and Holmes, and both agreed to allow their students to be involved. At the schools’ open houses, Galloway and his advisers distributed flyers to parents and students.
Originally, he had a choir for each school but, as the students became more involved, they asked to be united and Eden Youth Unity Choir was born. The students enjoyed working with their peers and getting to know each other, Galloway said.
Their first performance was at a pep rally at Holmes in October before more than 500 students.
“They got a standing ovation at the end and were really encouraged,” Galloway said. The choir already has performed again at Holmes.
From the beginning, Galloway sought assistance and advice from others, organizing a committee of advisers before he ever approached the schools.
“All of them are involved in choirs and some have done professional recordings because they have a heart for young people and youth,” Galloway said. Because most were involved with their youth groups at church, they were excellent candidates for the advisory board, he said.
Advisers, authorized by county school Superintendent Rodney Shotwell, include: Nathaniel Millner, a special-education class assistant at Holmes; Diane Thomas, a technology teacher at Morehead; Shandolyn Martin, a Rockingham County magistrate; Deirdre Moyer, the school system’s student-health coordinator; Elizabeth Aiken, a retired nurse; and Dr. Dionne Galloway, an OB/GYN at UNC-Rockingham, who is also Galloway’s wife.
The Galloways have a daughter, Jade, 3, who often is at the rehearsals and is an “honorary” member.
“She makes sure I get all the music right at home,” her proud father said.
“These young people represent our community’s future and it is important to encourage them to be involved in creative activities that will keep them from choosing the wrong path,” Galloway said.
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