MICKEY THOMAS TERRY AND THE TOUGALOO COLLEGE CONCERT CHOIR AT WOODWORTH
CHAPEL ON CAMPUS, OCTOBER 18, 2003

   The program opened with a brief service of dedication of the Murray
Harris / Hilborne Roosevelt / Roy Redman organ, completed in February.
The Tougaloo Concert Choir then sang Christiansen's "Beautiful Savior",
Betty Jackson King's "Psalm 57", and Moses Hogan's "We Shall Walk Through
the Valley in Peace", three favorites, again exquisitely done, as they
were last spring (see the September, 2003, issue for a review). Nothing
has changed except that the choir - just as football teams do - lost its
seniors, the most experienced singers, but got new talent in its freshmen.
Director Kathy Castilla is off to a good start for 2003-2004.

   Next Mickey Thomas Terry played the dedicatory recital, opening with a
lively Toccata by Mark Fax. Next was "Communion" from Louis Vierne's
Messe Basse Op. 30, a mild piece. This was followed by J.S. Bach's
Fantasia and Fugue in g (BWV-542). The fantasy was properly somber,
and the fugue got a rollicking rendition. Mozart's Fantasia in f (K. 394)
was next, and though this piece is full of difficulties, Terry made it
seem easy. Franck's "Piece Heroique" followed, with big sound, and after
it came Betty Jackson King's Nuptial Song, a calm moment. The program
closed with Mendelssohn's epic Sonate I, Op. 65, with its four movements,
including the familiar Adagio (II). The last movement, Allegro assai
vivace, was simply brilliant. Overall Terry played with sensitivity
but also with the electricity he is noted for (see the review in the
January, 2002, issue).

   The organ worked well, and Terry's choices served to demonstrate
very effectively the range of sounds it can produce. The beautifully
decorated facade is all that remains of the original Murray Harris
organ installed when the chapel was opened in 1902, while most of the
sound came from Roosevelt pipework, skillfully restored by organbuilder
Roy Redman. For a brief history of this project please visit our
web site, http://iain.umsmed.edu/~gentry.
                                                   - Glenn A. Gentry