Hello, my name is Alvin Shelby, and I am writing this Top of the Morning to inform all of the new ministry that the Lord has blessed me with.

This, at one time, was just a vision. Now, I get to see it come to fruition. I think we have some wonderful talented youth in our churches, towns and cities everywhere.

My goal is to have a concert series that will help promote those talented young people.

I think we sometimes focus way too much on the negative attributes of our young people instead of really praising the positive things they do in a big way.

My second reason for inviting these young people from all over the country to Natchez is because I think Natchez is a great place to come and see and visit. I also feel that the City Auditorium is a wonderful building to perform in and record in. So all of the concerts will be there.

I am very excited about this ministry. I have contacted music executives from several cities to invite them to Natchez to hear these wonderful children. If only one group gets a record deal from these concerts then it would have been worth the effort to put them on.

This is not a black, white event. This is a community event.

It is an evening to come out and celebrate the wonderful talents that God has blessed the young people with.

If there are any youth praise groups that would like to perform at the upcoming events, just let me know.

A portion of the ticket sales will be donated to the participants to help further their music endeavors.

Our first concert will be at 7 p.m. Nov. 3 at the Natchez City Auditorium. We will feature The Washington Kids from Nacogdoches, La., Mr. T.J. Warren from Tupelo and our very own Cathedral High School Choir.

Student admission is $5 and adult admission is $10. You can buy tickets at the door.

I am asking all of Natchez and the surrounding areas to come and celebrate with us as we celebrate our talented youth.

I have been working with and educating students for over 25 years. I know that these youth are our future. Let’s get together and support them.

Alvin Shelby is a local music teacher.