By Phoebe Donald Robinson / Community Columnist

The fall series of the Magic City Choral Society opens the premier “Sweet Home Alabama” concert for its first performance ever in Shelby County on Monday, Sept. 29, at Asbury United Methodist Church at 7:30 p.m. The concert is free, open to the public and features music that showcases Alabama’s significant contribution to music.
“Our 2014/2015 concert season kicks off with a tribute to musical artists that call Alabama, home sweet home! This concert series will feature popular songs from famous Alabamians far and wide! You will not want to miss out on our own Alabama Jubilee!” from MCCS website.
MCCS desires to broaden its audience and member base by coming to Shelby County. With a new brand identity logo, new concert venues, an enthusiastic, hard-working board of directors under the leadership of President Trynna Brown and outstanding musical leadership of Artistic Director Dr. Paul Dease, MCCS has produced a show that will appeal to all.
What makes MCCS unique is its mission: “to cultivate an inclusive community of singers and supporters united around the performance of choral music that educates, entertains, and inspires.”  MCCS is a 501c3 non-profit community based choral organization open to ANYONE, male or female, over the age of 18. It has an open audition and requires no musical training. Over 100 male and female singers participate without an addition with over $5,000 scholarships available to those who cannot afford the $220 membership fee.
MCCS vision came from Dease, the talented and highly motivated artistic director.
“My motto is ‘Y’all come,” said Dease. “I believe anybody can do superior choral performance if given the correct tools which is my job. In October 2006 I had the vision to create an organization that provided choral music for anyone.”
MCCS first started as a men’s chorus but soon added a woman’s chorus and Brown was one of the first women to join. Brown is known in Columbiana as the beautiful vocalist who sang Amazing Grace at beloved Jane Cox’s funeral who was the youth and KIMCO director as well as Honduras mission team leader at Columbiana United Methodist Church.
For info, see Magiccitychoralsociety.org.