CHURCH HOSTS U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY CHOIR

By STEPHEN HAMMILL

The U.S. Naval Academy Gospel Choir is coming to Carrollwood March 10 for a one-night-only performance.

The concert, as part of the choir’s spring break tour, will be held at Lake Magdalene United Methodist Church, 2902 W. Fletcher Ave.

This isn’t the Navy’s first visit to the church. Kathy Drake, associate director of music ministries for Lake Magdalene, recalled that their pastor, the Rev. Richard Nussel, had a father who graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy.

“I thought that was neat; plus, we hosted another Naval Academy choir in March of 2004, the men’s Glee Club,” Drake said. “They called us up this year, having had a history with the church. We’ve had a good association with them.”

Lake Magdalene church member Al Goins was himself a U.S. Naval Academy graduate, Class of 1961. He originally contacted the Navy about doing the Glee Club concert three years ago. The response to that concert was quite positive, and laid the foundation for the upcoming gospel performance, according to Steve Swift, the Navy’s area coordinator for greater Tampa Bay. 

“I heard about the choir coming to this area and asked Al if the church might be interested,” Swift said. “It’s centrally located, has a diverse constituency and the church holds over 1,000 people. We know we’ll get a strong attendance.”

The choir was founded in 1985. From 1990 until 2006, it was under the direction of Joyce Garrett, followed by current director Karla Scott.

Swift said the choir is similar to an extracurricular activity in a civilian college. All students at the academy are required to take a sport or extracurricular activity. There are about 50 midshipmen in the gospel choir. Upon graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy, the midshipmen will be commissioned as officers in the U.S. Navy or the U.S. Marine Corps.

“We basically go out into the schools and talk to them about the Navy and Marine Corps.”

Swift added the church has been extremely supportive.

“They’re great people to work with.”

Nussel said, “our goal as a church is when there is something of this magnitude, to open up to the community. It’s a great opportunity.”

He added that the number of retired military in this area helps to lend support to the performance. Nussel’s father was a U.S. Naval Academy graduate himself, Class of 1955.

“I’m just a lonely Florida Gator,” he said. “But I grew up on Marine and Navy bases, so the academy is near and dear to my heart.”
He said the reasons for hosting the performance go beyond the music.

“It’ll be more than just a choir event. People will come to hear a really good concert, and we can help the military down here.”
Nussel expects the performance to be a sellout, yet the church will take no money from the event.

“One of the things I strongly believe is that the church is not just here for itself. Whatever we can do to accommodate things like this is a contribution to the community,” he said. “We’re really blessed.”

The U.S. Naval Academy will hold an information day at 5 p.m. with the performance to begin at 7.

Tickets for the performance are $10, with a $7 price for students and seniors. To purchase advance tickets, call 961-1254.