In the symphony of life, moments occur when one chapter ends and another begins, each note a testament to divine orchestration. As I reflect on my 35 years of singing in a women’s a cappella chorus, I am reminded of the profound gift that music is – truly, a gift from God that transcends time and space, a gift that can unite hearts and souls in harmony.
It’s a gift I want to keep in my life. So, when my longtime chorus, Piney Hills Harmony, recently dissolved, my singing sisters and I sprang into action. We decided to form a new women’s a cappella community chorus – and even became our own 501(c)3 organization.
Ta da! Meet Southern A’Chord – North Louisiana’s newest chorus. The spirit of song in our hearts lives on in this new ensemble.
We are eager to share our music with the community and remind everyone of the beauty that exists in music overall, and especially in our four-part brand of a cappella harmony.
To introduce ourselves to the area’s female singers, we’re hosting a Welcome Night at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12, in the fellowship hall of the Presbyterian Church of Ruston, 212 N. Bonner. Please consider this an open invitation to all area women singers who feel the call of music in their hearts.
But Southern A’Chord is more than just a chorus. It’s a singing sisterhood. With members from several parishes, some driving an hour to join us, we are bound by our shared love of music and commitment to creating something beautiful together. Our directors, with decades of musical and vocal training experience, guide us with wisdom and grace, ensuring that each voice finds its place in the harmony.
Even our name, Southern A’Chord, reflects our mission and our music. And so does our logo. The “S” of “Southern” is formed from intertwined treble and bass clefs – to symbolize unity and harmony. This mingling of the clefs also symbolizes that we sing in both the treble and bass clefs – lead and tenor, baritone and bass. Indeed, this unity is not just musical but almost spiritual, as we come together to create a sound that is greater than the sum of its parts.
Please note: You don’t need to be an experienced singer to join us. Whether you have years of experience or are just starting your musical journey, we welcome you. We are an educational organization, ready to provide guidance and support. The love of singing is the main thing, and we have vocal tracks and other teaching methods to help you learn your part.
You don’t need to be a solo singer either; most of us are not. But when we blend our voices in those four-part harmonies juuussssst right, it feels like heaven reverberating in the air, producing overtones that can send chills down your spine.
For me, singing is in my blood, a part of my DNA. My mother was an alto a cappella singer, and her love of music was passed down to me. Being a part of Southern A’Chord is an integral part of my life, a source of immense joy and gratitude. I’m thankful every day for this gift from God, a gift that allows us to connect with each other and with the divine through the universal language of music.
As we embark on this new chapter, I invite you to join us and experience the grace and beauty of a cappella harmony. Let us come together, not just as singers, but as a community, united in our love of music and our desire to share it with the world.
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Sallie Rose Hollis lives in Ruston and retired from Louisiana Tech as an associate professor of journalism and the assistant director of the News Bureau. She can be contacted at sallierose@mail.com.
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