Alabama has furnished some of the world’s leading musicians – rock, country, folk, orchestra, gospel and all genres. Where do those musicians come from? How did they start?
One answer to that question is the music programs in Alabama’s schools.
Now, those programs, their students and teachers are being showcased in our state capital.
“Capitol Tunes” gives free musical concerts in Alabama's Gordon Persons Building and the state capitol building each Thursday, now through the end of March.
What a way to spend your lunchtime in Montgomery during the legislative session or for any reason!
No ticket or RSVP is needed. The attendees' attire is mixed but mostly "winter touristy."
Students from an Alabama public school perform each concert.
On any given Thursday this February and March, you can go to the Gordon Persons Building by 11 a.m. or to the state capitol building by noon. The same performers play twice each Thursday, so you only need to go once each Thursday.
The Thursday 11 a.m. performances are popular with employees and visitors of the State Department of Education, headquartered in the Gordon Persons Building at 50 N. Ripley Street, Montgomery. The musical setting is the vestibule near the center of the giant building.
Two blocks away, the Thursday noon performances are popular with state employees and visitors to the capitol building. The rotunda in the center of the capitol building is the musical setting. Attendees can experience the concert from above on the third floor’s round balcony overlooking the second-floor rotunda. It is just outside the historic House and Senate chambers, which were used by the legislature for 160 years. Or the public can stand beside the performers on the rotunda floor, as close to the musicians as you can be without playing yourself.
The performing groups are vocal or instrumental or a combination.
The 2025 season of Capitol Tunes offers these Thursday concerts:
February 20: Ardmore High School Chamber Choir
February 27: Hewitt-Trussville Middle School Honor Choir
March 6: Booker T. Washington Magnet Choral Ensemble.
March 13: Silurian Strings, Thompson Middle School.
March 20: LES Joyful Jammers. Loachapoka Elementary School.
March 27: Russell County High School Low Brass Ensemble.
Capitol Tunes is a collaborative project of the Alabama State Department of Education, the Alabama Music Educators Association and the Alabama Institute for Education in the Arts.
Photos, videos and recordings of the concerts are encouraged.
Legislators from each local area often attend and support the music students and teachers from their districts. State officials also often leave their offices to watch the performances.
State Board of Education member Jackie Zeigler of Mobile said: "Capital Tours is one of my very favorite events to attend. The talent of our students across this great state will bring tears to your eyes."
Many of the high school students who perform in the Capitol Tour Concerts show up a couple of years later with a music scholarship and playing in:
The Million Dollar Band of the University of Alabama
The Auburn University Marching Band
The Marching Southerners of Jacksonville State University
Sound of the South Band of Troy University
Samford University Marching Bulldogs
Marching Hornets of Alabama State University
Tornadoes of Talladega University
Marching Crimson Pipers of Tuskegee University
Jaguar Marching Band of University of South Alabama
UAB Marching Blazers
Marching Scarlet and Grey of Huntingdon College
Marching Pride of North Alabama
Marching Maroon and White Band of Alabama A & M
The Miss Alabama competition
America’s Got Talent
American Idol
At Capitol Tunes, you can see, hear and feel the future of music in Alabama.
Jim ‘Zig’ Zeigler writes about Alabama’s people, places, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former Alabama Public Service Commissioner and State Auditor. You can reach him for comments at ZeiglerElderCare@yahoo.com.
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