About the choir

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 Founded by Marco K. Merrick in July 2010, The Community Concert Choir was established to help preserve the musical heritage of the African American Church.  On November 7, 2010 the inaugural concert at the Historic Union Baptist Church met with an overflowing crowd, acclaimed reception and enthusiastic support.  In an effort to promote good sacred music, as well as educate our children and communities of the rich music legacy unique only to the Black Church, this aggregation has quickly grown to more than 150 members, spanning age, race, cultural denominational and geographic lines. It celebrates the music that has shaped history and reinforced our faith with hope over generations.  The mission, “To preserve and promote the sacred music tradition of the African American Church” is a driving force and magnetic attraction for participants and supporters.

The African America Church tradition cultivated a broad spectrum of music, shaping our American history and fostered faith through our ancestors’ songs.  They survived the horrific middle passage of the slave trade and stamped their inimitable legacy in the souls of successive generations.  Spirituals inspire each era, spanning slavery, American Revolution, Civil War, Reconstruction, Jim Crow Laws, the Civil Rights movement and the modern day, crafting musical development around the world.  

The choir’s repertoire spans the Negro Spiritual, Western European hymns and anthems, and the evolution of gospel music.  Our music, institutions and artists are vibrant; but this foundational music and unique forms have vanished from many Black Churches. This choir meets a growing need of those hungering for good music in the Baltimore Metropolitan area.  Annually, the choir presents four signature concerts (Palm Sunday, Spring, Fall and Christmas.)  In July 2013, the choir held a ceremony and sang the MLK, Jr. Memorial on the Mall in Washington, D.C. and made its debut at Morgan State University in 2014, performing with the Hall Men of Calvert Hall College High School and The Singing Sensations of Baltimore in a tribute concert held in the Carl J. Murphy Fine Arts Center.  In August 2016, the choir was featured during the opening ceremony of The National Urban League Convention in Baltimore at New Shiloh Baptist Church in Baltimore. In November 2017, the annual fall concert “Africa is Calling Thee,” took place in Baltimore’s Cathedral of Mary Our Queen, where nearly 3,000 people attended, and hundreds more were turned away because of the capacity crowd.

The Auxiliary is comprised of community leaders and representatives from churches, social, public service, educational and community organizations.  It supports the choir’s programs and performances, as well as sponsor several activities, including an annual bus trip to New York City to a Broadway production, a sell-out crab feast each summer, an annual Christmas party and other cultural, social and travel opportunities, to extend the choir’s reach and support to many community events.  All are welcome to the choir and/or the Auxiliary. 

Ms. Elizabeth Craig, President - Ms. Brittany Howard, Secretary

Ms. Jerrisa D. Carter, Treasurer - Rev. Anthony Horsey, Chaplain
Mr. Gregory Allen, Chair (CCC Auxiliary) - Mr. Marco K. Merrick, Founding Director