Gulf Coast Community Choir Concert April 28

A tribute to the Buchanans and Edwina Stanley

BY C.S. HOWARD

Gulf Coast Community Choir will host their Annual concert on Sunday, April 28th at St. James United Methodist Church, 2049 N. Honore Avenue in Sarasota. The concert begins at 4:00 p.m. and proceeds from this year’s concert will benefit Mothers Helping Mothers, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe and Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation. The concert will serve as a tribute to Dr. S. Carroll Buchanan (May 11, 1927 – December 19, 2010) and his wife, Carol Poteat Buchanan (March 29, 1929 – June 15, 2018). The Buchanans formed the choir in 2000 and were instrumental in moving it towards a multicultural choir which continues today. The concert will also pay tribute to Dr. Edwina Mitchell Stanley, in her last year as director of the choir, a position she has held for the past 10 years. Dr. Stanley was the accompanist until Dr. Carroll Buchanan‘s death. She then became the director and Marilyn Davenport succeeded her as the accompanist. Dr. Stanley has had a love for music most of her life. While in high school, she was president of the senior class and composed and directed the class song. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Fisk University where she sang and toured with the Fisk Jubilee Singers for four years. Her Masters degree was earned from University of Northern Colorado, and her doctorate in Educational Administration from Atlanta University. She began her teaching career in Sarasota as an elementary music teacher at Booker Elementary and also accompanied the Booker High Chorus and Stage Band. Her love of music prompted her to begin directing church choirs and teaching private piano lessons for many years. She was the first African American Assistant Principal at Sarasota High where she worked for eight years. She came full circle and completed her career as an Assistant Principal at Booker High and retired in 2004. As an active member of the community, Dr. Stanley has provided leadership for several organizations including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, The Society, The Holidays, The Links, East Bradenton Women’s Club and Church Women United. The choir is comprised of members from Manatee and Sarasota County and currently has over 40 members from various backgrounds. Its music includes Negro Spirituals, Anthems, Folk Songs and Classical. This year, the choir’s featured soloist will be Jae Langston D. Williams who was a participant in the 2017 and 2018 Macy’s Thanksgiving Parades. Also featured will be the Booker Middle School Jazz Band and two songs written by Dr. Stanley will also be performed. Tickets to the concert are $20.00; under age 12: $10.00. For more information, contact Karen Chester at 941-724 -5886. Limited ticket purchases may be made at the door.