The Alcorn State University Concert Choir will perform their annual Christmas Concert at 7 p.m. Sunday at St. Mary Minor Basilica.

The director will be Mr. Charles Wesley, and Mr. Tony Gordon will be the accompanist.

This is the first concert the choir will perform without their beloved director, my late husband David Blackburn.

In the beginning of the fall semester David said that this would be the largest concert choir during his tenure at Alcorn.

After a month of rehearsals he commented “I can’t wait for you to hear my choir!” He was very pleased with the new voices and commitment to excellence for which the choir is known.

This Sunday night you, too, can hear his choir.

And yes, they are magnificent they sing like angels.

The program will begin with Antonio Vivaldi’s “Gloria,” and many other Christmas favorites will follow.

While we were on our trip in the Mediterranean this past summer, we heard an outstanding Vivaldi Concert in Venice, Italy.

That evening David planned his Christmas concert.

He always wanted to bring the very best to Natchez.

He loved this community and all of its citizens.

He is not here to conduct, but his wonderful Alcorn students will carry on the tradition he started.

Please join me for an evening of beautiful Christmas music in honor of Dr. David Stuart Blackburn.

Sara Blackburn is the wife of the late David Blackburn, who was the director of the Alcorn State University choir before his death in the fall.