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Music Director and director of youth development at First Presbyterian Church Darrell Day plays the piano while Natchez Civic Chorale sings along during rehearsal Tuesday at First Presbyterian Church in Natchez. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

Natchez Civic Chorale sings during rehearsal Tuesday at First Presbyterian Church in Natchez. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

Cathy Moss of Natchez looks over the music with the Natchez Civic Chorale during rehearsal Tuesday at First Presbyterian Church in Natchez. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

Natchez Civic Chorale sings during rehearsal Tuesday at First Presbyterian Church in Natchez. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

Lorri Alles of Monterey sings with the Natchez Civic Chorale during rehearsal Tuesday at First Presbyterian Church in Natchez. It was Alles first time singing in a choir. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

Hal Hicks looks over the music with the Natchez Civic Chorale during rehearsal Tuesday at First Presbyterian Church in Natchez. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

Music Director and director of youth development at First Presbyterian Church Darrell Day passes out music to members of the Natchez Civic Chorale during rehearsal Tuesday at First Presbyterian Church in Natchez. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

NATCHEZ — Every Tuesday night from 6 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. the newly formed Natchez Civic Chorale rehearses at the First Presbyterian Church.

The choir is made up of 15-20 singers with different musical backgrounds and who are from locations throughout the Miss-Lou.

The choir was organized and is headed up by Darrell Day, music director and director of youth development at First Presbyterian Church.

Day said several people who attended the Tuesday’s rehearsal — which was only the fourth rehearsal of the choir — had quite a bit of experience and had performed solos or sung in their church choirs. Others at the last rehearsal, however, had never sung in any type of choir before, which is fine, Day said. In fact, that’s the way he wants it.

“I’m not interested in only selecting the highest grade of singers,” Day said. “This is about developing community in a musical setting.”

Day said after the last rehearsal people stood around and talked and spent time just getting to know one another better.

During rehearsals, Day said he divides the group up with different leaders to help promote an environment where singers are helping other singers.

Day said running a community choir is not a new experience for him.

He has had success with different community choirs in the past when he lived in the Tampa, Florida, area and in Indiana.

“Ultimately, I would like this group to serve as an ambassador for our community,” Day said. “Whether we are in Ferriday or Natchez or Vidalia, wherever we are when we take our group to different places or sing at different events, we represent our community.”

Day said he hopes the group eventually grows to having approximately 60 singers.

The group has also been asked to sing at this year’s National Day of Prayer on May 2 in Natchez where they will perform a jazz arrangement of “God Bless America.”

Membership in the choir is free of charge and any person interested can call Day at 727-483-2835 or email darrell@fpcnatchez.org.

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