CHELSEA – The Chelsea High School and P.D. Jackson-Olin High School choirs are teaming up to perform their second annual Unite Concert at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 19 at the Metropolitan Church of God in Birmingham. According to ChHS Choir Director Kay Dick, the purpose of the concert is to promote tolerance and understanding.

“There’s nothing like music to bring the world together,” Dick said. “Our kids really got an idea of other people and other cultures. Chelsea is more suburban or rural, while Jackson-Olin is more urban.”

According to Dick, she originally met JOHS Choir Director Tracey Hooper at a professional development workshop two years ago and decided to host their first Unity Concert together in 2016.

“They sang beautifully. We did some amazing things,” Dick said.

During last year’s concert, Dick said both choirs were able to get to know one another and make new friends and connections.

“At the end of the evening, my kids didn’t want to leave those kids,” Dick said. “They were swapping phone numbers and promises to stay in touch.

“We found out that the power of music really unifies,” Dick continued. “We felt like there was progress made in breaking down stereotypes and giving kids a wider world view.”

Because of the success of last year’s concert, Dick and Hooper decided to expand this year’s event to include more choirs. This year’s concert will feature all ChHS Choirs, the Chelsea Middle School girls’ choir and the Mt. Laurel Knightingales.

“Last year, I just took my show choir,” Dick said. “This year, I’m bringing the whole department.”

Admission for the 2017 Unity Concert costs $5 for adults and $1 for children.