Before Edinburgh Fringe Debut, Wallace State Presents ‘I Am a Pilgrim’ July 23-25

HANCEVILLE, Ala. — Wallace State Community College’s Fine and Performing Arts program will present “I Am a Pilgrim: The Evolution of American Gospel Music” July 23-25, before taking the show to Scotland next month to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. 

“I Am a Pilgrim: The Evolution of American Gospel Music” will offer a musical journey through the history of gospel music, including shape-note singing, African American spirituals, Southern gospel and more. 

Tiffany Richter, director of the vocal ensembles at Wallace State, said the research process in developing the production has been enlightening.

“I am a child of the church and digging into the history of how church music has evolved has been fascinating,” she said. “Gospel music has touched every decade of American history, and really influenced our culture. If you like history or music or great harmony, or just want some great entertainment, there is absolutely something in this show for you.”

Wallace State alumnus Duke Cleghorn, seated, directs performers practicing for the college's production of "I Am a Pilgrim: The Evolution of American Gospel Music" to be staged July 23-25.

Connections to Gospel Music History

The history of gospel music is especially relevant for two Wallace State alums who will be performing and acting as directors for the show. Siblings Tahauny and Duke Cleghorn serve as the show's choreographer and musical director, respectively, and are related to Otis McCoy, an editor of the Red Back Hymnal. The hymnal is often featured in gospel music conventions and local church singings. Classic gospel songs such as “Farther Along” and “I’ll Fly Away” are found in the hymnal. 

“Gospel music is something that runs deep in my family, in every sense,” Tahauny Cleghorn said. “My great-great-uncle Otis McCoy edited what here in Alabama we call the ‘red-back hymnal,’ and composed many of its well-loved songs. And his great-uncle, Seaborn M. Denson, was one of the foremost teachers and writers of Sacred Harp music in the state. This is the music that my family listened to in the car, the music that we sang at family gatherings and that, in many ways, formed the basis of my musical education.”

While the Cleghorns have an ingrained knowledge of the history of gospel music, some of the current students are learning more about the genre. Students have watched documentaries about African American Spirituals, learned about songsters who traveled the South teaching people how to read music, and the beginnings of Sacred Harp music. 

Kaylie Ellis said she has appreciated the opportunity to “learn the rich history of gospel music and the power of the stories written in each song,” and she’s discovered how it can bring people together.

“As a nurse, I spend most of my time at work before heading to rehearsal for our upcoming show,” she said. “I sometimes catch myself humming the tunes in the hall, and even have some people sing with me. I find this moment creates a special connection. I look forward to being a part of a movement as big as this show.”

Jay Lee said the experience has taught him more about America’s history. “It has shown me how influential gospel music is and how many people’s hearts have been affected by it,” Lee said. “It’s a religious experience, a cultural experience, a personal one, and much more. It has truly opened my eyes to the connection we have with each other and to America’s great melting pot.”

Members of the Wallace State Concert Choir perform during the 2025 Christmas Spectacular. The choir will be performing “I Am a Pilgrim: The Evolution of American Gospel Music” July 23-25 at the Betty Leeth Haynes Theatre at 7 p.m. each night. Tickets can be purchased via www.wallacestate.edu/fpa. The choir will travel to Scotland in August to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. 

“I Am a Pilgrim” Traveling to Europe

After completing the show’s run at home, the group will then prepare to take the production to Europe, where they will perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland. The Fringe is a three-week festival that dates to 1947 when eight theatre groups arrived uninvited to perform alongside the Edinburgh International Festival, literally on the fringe of the event. By 1958, the Festival Fringe Society was created.

Wallace State will perform “I Am a Pilgrim” August 10-12 at St. Paul’s & St. George’s Church at 7 p.m., local time each night (1 p.m. CDT).

Richter expects audiences attending the show will be very receptive. 

“We’re bringing a uniquely American form of music to European audiences, and we’ve been told this is what they want to hear us sing,” Richter said. 

This will be the program’s second trip to Europe in three years. In 2023, the groups traveled to Germany, Austria and Italy with a similarly themed performance, “Down by the Riverside.”

Performances will be held Thursday-Saturday, July 23-25, at 7 p.m., at the Betty Leeth Haynes Theatre in the Garlan E. Gudger Student Center. Tickets are a $10 donation for adults and $5 for students and children under 12, and can be purchased at the door or in advance through www.wallacestate.edu/fpa.

For questions or more information about Wallace State’s Fine and Performing Arts programs, call 256.352.8277 or email amy.seymore@wallacestate.edu. 

Registration for Fall 2026 regular is underway, with classes beginning on Aug. 17 for regular and Mini Term I. Mini Term II classes will begin on Oct. 14.

For more information, visit www.wallacestate.edu, call Lion Central at 256.352.8236 or come by the Hanceville or Oneonta campus centers. Current and incoming students may schedule an advising session with the Center for Student Success at www.wallacestate.edu/advising.

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About Wallace State

Wallace State Community College (Ala.), a member of the Alabama Community College System, is a comprehensive community college in north central Alabama offering more than 200 options in academic, health and technical programs of study leading to an associate degree, certificate or transfer, as well as workforce-credit training and adult education. An Achieving the Dream Leader College, nationally recognized by the Aspen Institute as a Rising Star for the 2025 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, ranked by Southern Business and Development among the Top 3 institutions in the South for workforce development, named a Center of Excellence by the National League for Nursing and the National Security Administration, rated the Top Online Community College in Alabama, a Military Friendly Institution and an All-Steinway School, Wallace State is an outstanding place for students to pursue their education and career goals. Classes are offered online and on campus, day, evening and on weekends, with numerous start dates each year. Visit Wallace State’s beautiful main campus located on 300-acres in Hanceville, Ala., our satellite location in downtown Oneonta, Ala., find us online at www.wallacestate.edu, or call 256.352.8000.