The Voices of Appalachia
The Alice Lloyd College choir, the Voices of Appalachia, tours annually in the spring to various parts of the United States, performing the hymns and ballads of the southern Appalachian highlands. The choir sings both a cappella and with accompaniment.
History
A number of noteworthy and memorable places have been included in the choir’s travels. They have had the opportunity to perform on shows, such as NBC’s The TODAY Show, the Kelly Lang Show from Los Angeles, and a special segment on CBS Sunday Morning with Charles Kuralt entitled the “Pride of Appalachia.” The Voices have had the opportunity to share our rich heritage in diverse venues, including the Ahwahne Hotel at Yosemite National Park, California; the National Presbyterian Church in Washington, DC; the National Cathedral in Washington, DC; and Gettysburg National Park. Through their vocal performances, the choir members strive to convey mountain people’s deep feelings about their heritage and region.
The Voices of Appalachia was formed in 1962 when Abner Grender came to Caney Junior College to teach music. During the history of the Voices of Appalachia, eight people have served as conductor: Abner Grender, Paul Tse, David Benson, Richard Kennedy, Bryan Bolton, Richard Bowers, Wendy Saylor, and Dr. Mindy Rubin. Over the years, there have been approximately 700 to 800 choir members, all of whom are still considered a part of the Voices of Appalachia family.
The Voices of Appalachia is a great asset to both Alice Lloyd College and the Appalachian region; the first priority is the benefit derived by the individual members from participation in the choral experience. Amazingly enough, the college does not offer any type of music major or minor; therefore, all members of the Voices of Appalachia are performing out of the love they hold for their heritage and the musical traditions that support their background.
The Voices of Appalachia sings traditional American and Appalachian folk hymns as well as traditional Spirituals, Gospel and light popular selections. They perform at various campus-wide convocations, at the annual Alice Lloyd College “Appalachia Day” each October, and they perform an on-campus Christmas concert in early December. In the Spring they have an on-campus concert followed by a multiple-state performance tour in May.
Conductor Biography
Mr. Kreg Godfrey serves as Assistant Professor of Music and Director of the Voices of Appalachia for Alice Lloyd College. Mr. Godfrey completed a Bachelor of Music from Oberlin Conservatory of Music before continuing his education and earning a Master of Music in Voice Performing from Syracuse University, earning a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from Temple University, and pursuing a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting and Pedagogy form the University of Iowa. He is currently writing his doctoral thesis on American composer Daniel Moe and his “Te Deum Laudamus” (1962).
Mr. Godfrey is a conductor who specializes in choral singing and performances, and a singer and voice teacher who pulls from his extensive experience to teach ALC students. He has been singing since childhood and conducting since 1983. He served as Director of Music for Faith Church in Poughkeepsie, NY for 17 years, leading contemporary worship teams, mentoring musicians and leaders, directing multiple choral ensembles, and providing pastoral leadership for church artists. He also held professional appointments as Associate Conductor for community choruses in Philadelphia, PA, and served as adjunct professor for Widener University, Eastern University, and the University of Valley Forge where he conducted and taught applied voice lessons, beginning and intermediate conducting, music theory, and aural skills classes.
In his spare time, Mr. Godfrey enjoys writing and arranging music for choirs, camping and hiking, watching college sports, reading, and playing video games. He has been married to his spouse, Barbara, for 28 years. The pair have two children and two grandchildren. His family also includes two elderly rescue cats and a new addition: a Maine Coon kitten.
Mr. Godfrey was born in Texas, but relocated to Vermont at the age of two. Eventually, his family moved to New York, where his parents still reside. Mr. Godfrey has always been fond of the mountains, and loves getting to know the hills of Eastern Kentucky. He aspires to be a servant leader in our Appalachian community with personal integrity, high expectations, compassion, and a sense of humor.