Elizabeth City, NC — Walter Swan stood at the top of a hill at Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, gazing over the landscape. With the Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) Concert Choir gathered around him, he reflected. “Wow. This was my life in Mississippi. Yes, me. The guy who has been holding you all to high standards and getting on your nerves, I’ve used a bathroom like this,” said Swan, professor and director of choral activities.
He was referring to the privy—a toilet located in a small shed outside a house—they were standing nearby. The moment was a powerful lesson in history, perspective and humility—one of many on the choir’s Spring East Coast Tour during the university’s past spring break. Over the course of a week, ECSU’s finest vocalists did more than sing—they recruited, educated and made an unforgettable impact on every audience they encountered.
A Tour of Music, History and Opportunity
At Monticello High School in Charlottesville, they sang in the shadows of Thomas Jefferson’s estate after a moving visit to Monticello House—an experience that sparked powerful reflection on history, resilience and the journey ahead.
Whether performing in bustling cities or quaint school auditoriums, the ECSU Concert Choir delivered soul-stirring harmonies and heartfelt messages that left a mark wherever they went. In Richmond, their music connected deeply with older generations at churches like Fifth Baptist and Bethlehem Baptist. Swan, always thoughtful about audience connection, reminded the choir before one performance:
“We will start with ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing.’ This is your crowd from the 1940s, 50s and 60s. They know James Weldon Johnson. They know the happenings of that time. Let’s give them songs they will appreciate and an experience they will love.”
The choir went beyond music in schools like Paul Robeson and Girard College in Philadelphia. They explained the meaning of an “alma mater” and opened students’ eyes to college possibilities many had never considered, introducing them not just to ECSU but to higher education as a whole.
In every city—Trenton, East Orange, Cherry Hill and beyond—the goal was the same: inspire through music, recruit through storytelling, and connect through authenticity. At each stop, high school students asked about ECSU’s admissions process, culture, and top-rated programs. ECSU was no longer a mystery when the choir exited the stage—it was a possibility.
Many students in these schools had never heard of ECSU before and by the time the choir left, they not only knew about the institution but could picture themselves there.
Lessons Beyond the Stage
Abel E. Sutton, a ninth grade student at Northeastern High School and a private vocal student of Swan, joined the tour as an honorary member of the ECSU Concert Choir. Reflecting on the experience, he said, “I learned that with elevation comes great sacrifice. Being a part of the choir and the tour was a good opportunity to explore the college life and to have a trial period on the major and clubs I plan on being a part of in college.” For Sutton, the tour wasn’t just about singing. It was a glimpse into his future, shaped by discipline and exposure.
Ella Ivory, an English major from the class of 1965, met the choir at one stop and shared how ECSU shaped her journey.
“Academically, socially and professionally, I had success because of ECSU,” she said, reinforcing to the choir and the students in the audience that the university was more than just a place—it was a launchpad.
Once a voice in the university choir under the direction of Evelyn A. Johnson, the choir’s choral director for almost 40 years, Ivory now uses her voice to continue to uplift her alma mater in new ways, as a staunch activist and supporter of ECSU.
At the Marian Anderson House, Jillian Patricia Pirtle—American soprano, nonprofit executive, and historian for the Marian Anderson House--reminded them of their power and to embrace their gifts.
“You will look back on this day and be grateful for this. Take it and run with it. You are fabulous vocalists and musicians, and I am already plotting how to get you back out here,” Pirtle said. “My fellow scholar artists have incredible voices, and we would have a good time.”
A Little Fun Along the Way
Between performances, the choir found time to soak in the cities they visited. One highlight was their Broadway day in New York City, an opportunity to enjoy the day in the setting of world-class performers and dream about their futures in the arts.
Every stop also brought moments of joy—inside jokes on the bus, impromptu jam sessions, and late-night conversations about their experiences. The trip wasn’t just a tour; it was a bonding experience, a chance to see the world and understand their place in it.
Cultivating Change Makers
Swan’s purpose for this tour wasn’t just to showcase ECSU’s vocal geniuses. He worked to cultivate change makers. When discussing what these vocalists could do to speak up and change the world, he clarified that everyone has a part to play.
“If you’re not a good speaker, you still have a mighty gift. You sing. So, sing!”
And sing they did.
The spring semester is complete, but the ECSU Concert Choir continues to educate and inspire, and their journey is far from over. The choir is celebrating its 100th anniversary, and this tour was just the opening act in a milestone year. More unforgettable performances, events and community engagements are on the horizon once students return in the fall.
This tour was the grand finale of the 2024-2025 academic year and allowed the choir to end on a good note. To follow their journey and witness history in harmony, follow the ECSU Concert Choir’s official Instagram page to stay connected.