A group of former choir members created an "opus" honoring their retired choral director, Mr. Blackwell.
Former choir students came together in song on the Catonsville United Methodist altar to perform "Mr. Blackwell's Opus," a tribute to their retired director.
What started as a casual Facebook thread this past summer amongst friends, turned into a concert honoring James Blackwell, a man who taught choir at Woodlawn High School between the fall of 1963 until his retirement in 1985.
Tracey Tiernan-Coiro, a Woodlawn High School alum, said this tribute was a token of appreciation to a man who taught them more than the music scale.
"He taught us about doing things with excellence, caring about the details, and caring about each other. He taught us the most important thing we can do is to listen to each other...this is how we make beautiful music together," Tiernan-Coiro said.
The group of singers, now age 50 and older, are being led once again by Blackwell, now in his 80's, according to Tiernan-Coiro.
After only one rehearsal on Monday, the singers were ready to perform all the songs Mr. Blackwell taught them over 40 years ago.
