Connect with us

Alabama

Alabama Symphony Orchestra to present + record “Inspired By Alabama” on Oct. 30—get tickets now | Bham Now

Published

on

Alabama Symphony Orchestra to present + record “Inspired By Alabama” on Oct. 30—get tickets now | Bham Now


Sponsored

You won’t want to miss the Orchestra in Birmingham on October 30. (Alabama Symphony Orchestra)

The Alabama Symphony Orchestra is producing an album of Alabama-composed work, recorded LIVE in Birmingham. The coolest part? You can attend the recording session on October 30 during the once-in-a-lifetime concert called Inspired by Alabama

Read on for why this project is so important and how you can help bring the legacy of classical music to our state for future generations.

Advertisement

Event details

Behind Inspired by Alabama

Over 100 years of the Orchestra inspiring Birmingham and beyond. (Alabama Symphony Orchestra)

DYK the Alabama Symphony Orchestra (ASO) is the only full-time orchestra in our state? It’s also been around for more than a century. 

This has put them at the heart of incredible classical music created by astounding Alabama composers.

To preserve the legacy of classical music in our state, the ASO will be recording an album entitled Inspired by Alabama. This will occur during a live concert at the Alys Stephens Center on October 30.

This once-in-a-lifetime concert will feature three distinctive Birmingham- and Alabama-centric classical composers. 

Recording Inspired by Alabama

Producing the Inspired by Alabama album is a massive undertaking for the ASO. Recording must be done properly with top engineers and equipment. This is necessary to achieve the specific sound quality needed and ensure it receives the recognition it deserves.

Advertisement

The great news? You can help bring this project to fruition by purchasing a concert ticket to the show on October 30 or donating to the ASO.

3 selected works featured

Brian Raphael Nabors (Alabama Symphony Orchestra)

Letters from Birmingham by Brian Raphael Nabors (2022)

This new symphonic composition was written by rising classical star and Magic City native Brian Raphael Nabors. It features four movements that take listeners on an entertaining and triumphant musical exploration of our city’s past and present.

Here’s a closer look at each movement:

  1. Sloss—the orchestra turns into a working steel factory with a percussion section inspired by the sounds of the most prominent pig-iron blast furnace in the city.
  2. Tuxedo Junction—you’ll glimpse jazz and swing rhythms and the vibrant celebration of nightlife and dance clubs in historic West Birmingham.
  3. March—a reflection on the civil rights struggle, then and now, and its history in Birmingham.
  4. The Magic City—a rambunctious finale celebrating Birmingham’s culture + spirit, while highlighting the efforts that continue to make it great.

Negro Folk Symphony by William Levi Dawson (1934)

William Levi Dawson (Alabama Symphony Orchestra)

This incredible composition by William Levi Dawson received instant acclaim during its 1934 premiere.

The masterpiece showcases choral octavos, primarily based on Black spirituals and widely performed in churches today.

Advertisement

Fun Fact: In 1935, the ASO (then the Birmingham Civic Symphony Orchestra) was the second orchestra to play the piece and the first organization in the South to present it to the public.

Stars Fell on Alabama by Mitchell Parish and Frank Perkins (1934)
—Arranged for orchestra by Amerigo Marino

Amerigo Marino (Alabama Symphony Orchestra)

You’ve likely heard of the Stars Fell on Alabama. It’s one of the most iconic songs in jazz history and one of our region’s most treasured jazz standards.

During the October 30 concert and live recording, the piece will be arranged for the orchestra by Amerigo Marino.

Here are some interesting things to know about Amerigo Marino:

  • He was the ASO’s 4th music director + conductor—a position he held for 20 years.
  • He was the first violinist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra.
  • Under his tenure, the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra became the Alabama Symphony Orchestra.

Want to support the ASO? Get your tickets to the Inspired by Alabama concert on October 30 or donate directly to the organization now.

Sponsored by:

Advertisement



Source link

Alabama

Alabama NAACP Releases 2026 Selma Jubilee Weekend Schedule

Published

on

Alabama NAACP Releases 2026 Selma Jubilee Weekend Schedule


The Alabama State Conference of the NAACP has announced its official schedule for the 2026 NAACP-sponsored Selma Jubilee Bridge Crossing Weekend, set for March 6–8 in Montgomery and Selma.

Held under the theme “A Time for Standing,” the annual commemoration honors the Foot Soldiers of the 1965 Selma-to-Montgomery marches and recognizes the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., John Lewis and Rev. Jesse Jackson for their roles in advancing civil rights and voting access.

The three-day event will bring together national, state and local leaders, along with youth and college chapters, faith partners and community members for activities focused on reflection, education and civic engagement.

Scheduled events include a civic discussion titled “The New Civic Path” on March 6 at the Montgomery Interpretive Center at Alabama State University, followed by a Jubilee Gala that evening at Embassy Suites in Montgomery. On March 7, the Birmingham Metro Branch will host a bus trip to Selma, while a statewide civic engagement training will take place in Montgomery.

Advertisement

SEE ALSO: Bridge Crossing Jubilee to honor Rev. Jesse Jackson’s legacy in Selma
SEE ALSO: 16th Street Baptist Church: Keeping a Legacy Alive 63 Years Later

On March 8, participants will take part in the Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee Parade, voter activation efforts, worship services at Brown Chapel AME Church and Tabernacle Baptist Church, and the traditional bridge crossing at the foot of the Edmund Pettus Bridge.

Organizers say the weekend will emphasize continued civic participation and community engagement across Alabama.

—–

March 6 — Alabama NAACP Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee Gala 5:30PM Embassy Suites by Hilton, 300 Tallapoosa St, Montgomery, AL 36104

Advertisement

March 7 — NAACP Birmingham Metro Branch Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee Bus Trip 8AM–5PM Broad Street and Water Avenue in Selma Alabama

March 7 — Alabama State NAACP Statewide Civic Engagement Training 8–4:15PM Homewood Suites, 7800 EastChase Pkwy, Montgomery, AL 36117

March 8 — Alabama State NAACP in the Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee Parade 8AM–10AM Begins at 1722 Broad St and concludes at the National Voting Rights Museum

March 8 — Alabama NAACP Statewide Bridge Crossing Jubilee Bus Trip 8AM–5PM Alabama State University, Untenese and Mobile Branch and University of Alabama, Oakwood University, Broad Street and Water Avenue, Selma

March 8 — Alabama NAACP Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee Participation in Worship Services 10AM–2PM Brown Chapel AME Church and Tabernacle Baptist Church, Selma

Advertisement

March 8 — Alabama NAACP Youth and College Civic Engagement Voter Activation 8AM–2PM Broad Street and Water Ave, Selma

March 8 — Alabama NAACP Statewide Bridge Crossing 11:15PM – Line up Alabama NAACP Tent on Waters Ave or at the foot of the Edmund Pettus Bridge, Selma



Source link

Continue Reading

Alabama

3 Alabama players who helped their draft stock at 2026 NFL combine

Published

on

3 Alabama players who helped their draft stock at 2026 NFL combine



Each player had a pivotal role on the Crimson Tide in 2025.

Alabama had a multitude of former players who performed at an elite level at the NFL combine this past weekend.

Former Alabama star quarterback Ty Simpson was among those who put his talents on full display in Indianapolis, as Simpson continues to emerge as a top quarterback prospect available in April’s draft.

Advertisement

Numerous Crimson Tide stars on both sides of the football were able to have an excellent showing at the combine as well, with each playmaker a vital component to the Tide’s success in 2025.

Here are three Alabama players who helped their draft stock rise at the NFL combine.

Ty Simpson, Quarterback

Simpson is widely regarded as the best quarterback prospect available outside of Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza. The talented redshirt junior put on an absolute show at the NFL combine, as Simpson delivered multiple perfect throws and put his talents on full display throughout Saturday’s events.

The former Alabama star is a candidate to potentially shine day one in his campaign in the NFL, as Simpson’s draft stock continues to rise prior to April.

Jam Miller, Running Back

Advertisement

Miller is an extremely fast and athletic running back, despite struggling in the Tide’s backfield last season. The star running back recorded an impressive 4.43u 40-yard dash time, as Miller could very easily shine in the NFL next season with consistent playing time.

Miller was nothing short of elite throughout his entire performance at the combine in Indianapolis, as the former Tide running back continues to rise in a multitude of draft rankings around the football world.

Kadyn Proctor, Offensive Tackle

Proctor played a crucial role on Alabama’s offensive line last season. The star lineman reportedly slimmed down prior to the NFL combine, as Proctor displayed elite speed and athleticism throughout Sunday’s combine in Indianapolis.

Proctor is widely expected to be a mid-to-late first round selection in April, as the talented lineman’s efforts during the combine could quickly begin to work in Proctor’s favor during next month’s draft.

Advertisement

The 2026 NFL draft will take place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania starting on April 23, as each Crimson Tide star will look to shine throughout their rookie campaign in the NFL.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.





Source link

Continue Reading

Alabama

Husband, 19, fatally shot wife, 24, himself at Alabama hospital moments after welcoming their first child

Published

on

Husband, 19, fatally shot wife, 24, himself at Alabama hospital moments after welcoming their first child


A husband fatally shot his wife before turning the gun on himself at an Alabama hospital just moments after they welcomed their first child on Sunday.

Kynath Terry Jr., 19, gunned down 24-year-old Precious Johnson before fatally shooting himself inside the Baptist Health Brookwood Hospital around 9:30 p.m. Sunday night, WTVM 13 reported.

Johnson delivered a healthy baby just before she was murdered. It’s not immediately clear if the baby was present during the shooting, but police said that Terry and Johnson were the only ones injured.

Kynath Terry Jr., 19, shot 24-year-old Precious Johnson at an Alabama hospital after she gave birth to their child. WVTM

Terry’s mother told the outlet that the couple were having some marital issues leading up to Johnson’s due date, but nothing that made her fear her son would become violent.

Advertisement

She told the outlet that Terry completed Army National Guard training before tying the knot with Johnson.

She noted that Johnson didn’t want Terry’s side of the family at the hospital for her child’s birth, but it’s unclear if anyone from the mother-to-be’s own family was there.

The hospital was plunged into a lockdown “out of an abundance of caution” while police investigated reports of a shooting. It wasn’t lifted until hours later when they determined there was “no active threat to patients, team members or the public,” the outlet reported.

The Homewood Police Department described the tragedy as “an apparent murder-suicide and is domestic in nature.”

Terry completed Army National Guard training before marrying Johnson. WVTM
The shooting sent Brookwood Baptist Medical Center into an hours-long lockdown. Google Maps

Danne Howard, the president of the Alabama Hospital Association, told the outlet that the chilling attack “was an isolated incident” unlike anything she’d encountered during her three decades working in the state.

Advertisement

Howard said, in the wake of the tragedy, the Baptist Health Brookwood Hospital would undergo a security overhaul implementing “lessons learned” from a mandated after-action report.

Just three months ago, in a town six miles outside of Homewood, a beloved sports reporter was fatally shot by her husband before taking his own life. Their 3-year-old son, who was unharmed, led his grandfather to his parents’ bodies.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending