Enjoy a lively, entertaining concert? Singing along, dancing, and tapping your feet or snapping your fingers to inspirational, catchy, and wildly fun songs? If so, you will not dare to miss an upcoming October performance at The Freeland. The performance pairs a large, soulful choir with some of Motown’s greatest hits.
Regardless of age, most of us instantly recognize “the Motown sound” in songs from our childhoods and throughout our early adulthoods, whether they were being released, remade, or played in movies and tributes at the time.The Motown sound we instantly came to know and love, singing along and moving our bodies as it played, included a mesh of soulful music, jazz, and doo-wop paired with the pop appeal that we listeners crave. With our timeless enjoyment of Motown in mind and in the musical stylings of performers such as Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, and more, The Ambassadors’ Concert Choir and The Ambassadors’ Children’s Choir of Oklahoma City will perform their own “A Motown Revue” on Oct. 21 at 7 p.m.
One of the choir’s assistant directors, Patti Drennan provided some insight into The Ambassadors’ passion for music, citing its foundation around Christmas Eve of 1979 by Maestro Kenneth Kilgore, who later went on to become Dr. Kilgore during his tenure directing The Ambassadors. Although the choir began primarily as a predominately African American choral extension of the St. John Missionary Baptist Church Choir in Oklahoma City, the choir quickly grew and has diversified to include members of multiple backgrounds and cultures, performing works of many musical genres. To date, the choir remains a soulful group with the passion to sing and share, freely, its deep love of music. With its growth, however, the choir registered as a non however, the choir registered as a nonprofit, seeking to turn their musical passions into shared action.
Mrs. Drennan recounted its mission and purposes, explaining that the choir is dedicated to bringing a variety of music to Oklahoma through education, promoting awareness of and appreciation for music, and developing musical skills among children and adults. Further, Mrs. Drennan noted some of the ways The Ambassadors’ Concert Choir fulfill their mission and purposes: by choosing and performing songs from a variety of genres, offering scholarships for students, presenting awards, and by sharing workshops with choir members and the public. Interested parties may learn more about upcoming workshops by following The Ambassadors’ social media accounts on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram.
From foundation to present, the group’s commitment to sharing their passion for music appears unrivaled among concert choirs as does their total number of lead directors. In 44 years, The Ambassadors have only performed under 2 lead directors. Prior to his passing, Dr. Kilgore chose Dr. Sandra Thompson, the choir’s current artistic director, to lead the choir in 2010. In total, around 8 individuals direct the Ambassadors’ concert and children’s choirs. Dr. Thompson serves as artistic director, 5 choir members, including Mrs. Drennan, serve as assistant directors, and 2 individuals lead the children’s choir.
In addition to choir members and directors, Mrs. Drennan spoke of a special instrumentalist, Armetta Murphy, who has been with The Ambassadors for more than 30 years and plays the Hammond B-3 organ. The Hammond B-3 organ, when paired with its special Lindsey speakers, creates a unique sound specific to 60s-style music. The organ proves central to most of the choir’s musical selections regardless of genre.
In a first, Chip Cooper, Director of Entertainment for the Freeland, excitedly announced that the Freeland recently purchased a Hammond B-3 organ and Leslie speaker for use in Freeland Center performances. As The Ambassadors’ Concert Choir performs, audience members will be treated to the instrument’s Bristow debut.
Moreover, a special guest musician will be joining the choirs for their October performance. Local jazz sensation Carmen Bruner will share the stage with the choir as a soloist and will sing with the choir for some selections. For her part, Ms. Bruner said “It’s a great honor to perform with seasoned singers. Because of their mission in keeping music alive and bringing Motown music to Bristow for younger people to experience, I’m excited to join them on the stage.”
In referencing their performance of “A Motown Revue”, Mrs. Drennan described the concert as an “informal event”, expressing what The Ambassadors most hope their audiences do in response to their music—engage. The choirs welcome all attendees to freely move, sing, snap, clap, or tap throughout the evening, allowing the music to move you from within your heart and soul. “We want our audience to think, ‘Man, I wish I was a part of that choir.They are having fun. I wish I could do that with them.’ Well, we want you to do it with us! Join in. Stand up. Sing. Clap. Accept the music and celebrate it with us.” She added “Allow yourselves to be reminded of those good times when you first heard the songs. Leave with a good feeling in your heart and mind and catchy tunes that you’ll find yourself singing for days to come.”
Be sure to check out The Ambassadors’ website https://ambassadorschoir. com or follow them on social media to learn more.
Tickets for “A Motown Revue” may be purchased online at www.etix.com or by calling the box office at 918-637-3540.