NOISEMAKERS RHONDA HAMBRIGHT

RHONDA HAMBRIGHT

WORDS BY LINDSEY ADKISON PHOTO BY TAMARA GIBSON

IIn the Golden Isles, Rhonda Hambright truly needs no introduction. The songstress has been a pillar of the choral community for decades, inspiring countless students and spearheading dozens of musical projects — including the annual performance of Handel’s “Messiah” each December. But Hambright’s path to becoming a local star and singing sensation began when she was just a shy little girl, growing up in Atlanta. “I had studied piano since the age of five, but was too shy to sing. During a youth choir rehearsal at Tucker Methodist, I kept singing a high G when the group stopped and everyone turned around with wide eyes and said, ‘wow.’”

The director invited her to learn a solo to further develop her talent. Her parents, too, wanted to nurture her gift. At first, Hambright studied with a soprano in the choir and was coached by the director.

“I was scared to sing in front of anyone, but they helped me to overcome most of my fear. It’s so important to be a teacher in church music. Where else are we going to get our organists, choir members, and directors?,” she says.

She continued to hone her craft throughout high school. And, as she prepared for college, Hambright hoped that her vocal and piano skills might help financially support her journey.

She started taking formal classes and studied with a professor from Mercer University to prepare for auditions. The extra effort paid off and she was awarded a dual scholarship — voice and piano — as she applied in both areas. It was in college that Hambright laid the foundation for her vocal career. “I was accepted at Wesleyan College in Macon, where I studied voice with Carol ‘Casey’ Thurman and Norman McLean,” she says. “I keep in touch with my teacher, Casey. Her teacher was Florence Kopleff, Robert Shaw’s beloved contralto.”

Hambright lived and worked in Macon after graduation, and later started reaching out to Golden Isles churches in search of a position. And once word got around, she was in high demand.

“People from the Island Players reached out and asked me to audition. From there, I worked with the symphony conductor at the time, Roger Born, and joined the Messiah Chorus under the direction of Barbara Meadows. I was also recruited for the Christmas Chorus at Brunswick Junior College — now College of Coastal Georgia — with Donna Nilsson as the director,” she says.

“The Baroque Ensemble (New Renaissance), an early music group was formed. The community of musicians blossomed in the early 80s in this area and were looking for playing opportunities and work, so many groups were formed out of that necessity. I feel really grateful to this community for giving me the opportunity to sing at many events and concerts.”

But one of Hambright’s greatest passions has always been teaching. She crafted a thriving hub for music education, with as many as 45 private voice students visiting her home each week. That, of course, was dialed down when she signed on as the director of music at St. Simons Presbyterian Church in 2008.

“I only teach about 10 people a week now, due to my church responsibilities. Some are piano students and some are voice students. I’ve taught some sessions in theory as well,” Hambright says. considering I had students while in college for a vocal pedagogy class. I’m so very proud of those that have gone on to earn their master’s degree in voice and are teaching and performing in their communities and on professional tours.”

Some of those students have also gotten involved with the Messiah performance that Hambright leads each year. The event, hailed as more of a local institution than simple show, had to be canceled in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic but is set to be revamped for this year’s presentation. As in the past, it will feature singers from at least 25 regional choirs, as well as professional musicians and soloists. But it will be presented by the Mozart Society, the organization that arranged it many years back.

“The Mozart Society of Glynn County’s executive board has agreed that the Community Messiah Chorus can be a part of their organization once more and operate under their nonprofit status. This is all currently in process and members of both organizations are being notified,” she says.

It will be a project that Hambright will continue to mold throughout the year. She will also continue to teach and focus on her craft, as well as sharing it with the community.

“I will continue to sing as needed for as long as I can. Music and the promotion of it will always be a huge part of my life,” she says.

“I am grateful to those who support me while practicing this art, especially my husband, Harlan, who is also a musician in his own right. Thank you to this community for all of the opportunities that you’ve given me to share the God-given gifts I was born with.”