~ Chronology of Events ~

~ November 6, 1999 ~
First Reunion in Daytona Beach, FL
Discussion RE: Establishment of 
The Thomas D. Demps Alumni Concert Chorale (TDDACC)
 
~ July 20 - 23, 2000 ~
The Inaugural “Tone, Diction & Dynamics Tour”
Six Performances in Atlanta, GA
Scheduled by Apostle Julius Kidd, Program Facilitator
Salem United Methodist Church (Conyers, GA)
The Good Day Atlanta Show (Atlanta, GA)
Christ Tabernacle United Church of God In Christ (Decatur, GA)
Mt. Olive Seventh Day Adventist Church (East Point, GA)
Green Pastures Christian Ministries (Decatur, GA)
White’s Chapel United Methodist Church (Conyers, GA)

~ June 2002 ~
Performance at the National Alumni Convention in Atlanta, GA

~ November 2002 ~
Second Reunion of the TDDACC in Orlando, FL
Performance at the Boosters’ Breakfast
Presentation of $10,000 to Dr. Oswald P. Bronson, President,
for Music Scholarship

 ~ October 24, 2009 ~
Third Reunion of the TDDACC in Daytona Beach, FL
Performance at the Dr. Larry R. Hanfield
Athletic Training Center Gala and Blessing Ceremony

 ~ June 22-24, 2016 ~
Performance at the National Alumni Convention in

Daytona Beach, FL

The Thomas D. Demps Alumni Concert Chorale

~ Our Beginnings ~

The formation of the Thomas D. Demps Alumni Concert Chorale was the fulfillment of a vision that was ever-present in my mind for years. It was in the spring of 1999 when I finally decided to pursue the vision to reconnect with the Concert Chorale Family that I so enjoyed during my years at Bethune-Cookman College (B-CC). To that end, I published what would become the first official newsletter of the Bethune-Cookman College Thomas D. Demps Alumni Concert Chorale – Dynamics.   It was a one-page document seeking the addresses of former members of the Bethune-Cookman College Concert Chorale who were trained by Doc.  My objective was to contact other Concert Chorale members to determine their interest in planning a reunion in Daytona Beach, Florida. The response was great!  Approximately thirty-five members responded, indicating their intent to participate.  The reunion itself was phenomenal!  After 30 years, our connection with Doc was still intact and we were able to blend our voices to create that melodious, stereophonic sound that mesmerized audiences for many years.  

My respect for Doc began prior to my enrollment at B-CC.  My mother and Doc were acquaintances, as they were both at B-CC during the same time.  She spoke very highly of him.  Through her encouragement (and insistence), I auditioned as a freshman and was selected to participate in the Concert Chorale.  I was truly elated!  This, to Mom, was a wonderful opportunity.  I later understood why.  

During my sophomore, junior  and senior years, I had the honor of serving as Doc’s secretary and personally observed his commitment to the college and to the chorale.  He loved the music that we produced.  He felt the music and made us feel it!  He enjoyed performing!   He expected excellence from us, thus instilling in us the importance of demonstrating excellence in all that we do throughout our lives.  The lessons taught, the stories told, the frustrations demonstrated when quality was lacking, the joy exuded when quality prevailed, the competition in Israel with “Frenchie” – each of these memories, and many more, will forever be in our minds and in our hearts.  Doc made us a family; hence my desire for us to reunite.

I am hopeful that the message of our reunification will be shared with more of our former Concert Chorale members who were trained by Doc so that they might have the opportunity to join us for future gatherings and/or engagements. 

                                     I look forward to our next opportunity to “keep the sound alive.”

                                                                     Dr. Rozalyne P. Wright, Founder
                                    The Bethune-Cookman College Thomas D. Demps Alumni Concert Chorale