Thirty years ago, 50 people from Covington, Coffee, Crenshaw, Conecuh and Butler Counties came together to form the South Alabama Mass Choir. Now, they are reuniting to sing again at the First Baptist Church on Whatley Street.

The choir began in 1989, by Tommy James of Andalusia and Charles Marshall, who was with the Auburn University Gospel Choir.

“The mission of the choir was to support churches and not be church oriented,” Diana Glover-Samuel said. “At the time we were getting a lot of college students from the Amico Fiberglass Factory. We had a lot of people from Amico Fiberglass Factory come and join the choir. We just had a great group.”

Samuel said she is looking forward to seeing everybody again the most.

“The theme for this year’s concert is ‘Reunited For His Glory,’” Samuel said.

She has kept in touch with all of the members that still live in the area, but has recently gotten in touch with the members who have moved away.

“We had a conference call with all of the people that were planning on coming to the reunion,” Samuel said. “There were people from Georgia, Tennessee, Ohio, Utah and North Carolina. Everybody is so excited to see each other.”

One member asked specifically for the reunion concert.

“Emma Rae Locke is having treatments,” Samuel said. “And Chuck came to see her last year and asked her if there was anything that he could do for her. She said, ‘You know what would be great? If you could get the choir together just one more time,’ and here we are.”

The concert will be July 20, at 6 p.m.

The celebration is open to anyone who wants to participate. Registration forms are available online at Eventbrite.

There will be two rehearsals before the July 20 performance; one on Fri., July 19, at 7 p.m., and Saturday morning, at 9 a.m.

For more information contact, Locke at 334-222-7089, Samuel at 210-287-1218 or Joyce Hobbs-Holmes at 334-428-3123.