The male voice,
given its full range.
ASPIRE Male Vocal Ensemble is a new TTBB chorus for men 25–50 in Huntsville and Madison County. Eight intensive rehearsals from Friday, October 16 lead to our inaugural concert in early December.
The sound of grown men singing.
Five minutes from our October 3 rehearsal: the people, the preparation and the invitation, in Dr. Williams' own words.
The first of eight rehearsals — and the last call to join.
The first of eight rehearsals.
Eight rehearsals, one concert — early December.
- When
- Friday, October 16, 2026 · 6:00 PM CentralInaugural concert · early December
- Where
- Location shared with your RSVP, Open in MapsDate and venue to be announced
- Who
- Men 25–50
The men are in rehearsal now, Friday and Tuesday nights through November. Tell us you'd like to hear them and we'll send the date and venue the moment they're set. Businesses, churches and friends who'd like to support the concert are warmly welcome, too.
“What I would prefer to happen is that you say ‘I'm in’ — two words — and start working on your music.”
Rehearsals run Friday and Tuesday nights for four weeks, two hours each, then the concert. It's one season, not a whole year — and the music is already waiting in the Music Room.
Questions? Email info4amve@gmail.com ·
Six men came. Here is what they said.
“An enjoyable time with six men. A solid beginning. Something to build on.” — Dr. J. Philip Williams
This can grow into something magnificent! The music was excellent, but not too difficult.CA
I was surprised how seamlessly I got back into singing. There are very few uplifting activities like this for men. I recommend it to others.LL
It reminded me why I enjoyed singing in the past. A men's choir is a rarity.AE
More than just a place to sing; a chance to learn, rediscover, be a part of a community.HB
Nostalgic… nervous… excited…MQ
The clock has started.
We work in private on all the music first. Eight intensive rehearsals — Friday and Tuesday nights for four weeks, two hours each, from Friday, October 16 — lead to our inaugural concert in early December.
- 1Friday, October 16 · 6:00 PM Central — the first of 8 intensive rehearsals
- 2Tuesday night
- 3Friday night
- 4Tuesday night
- 5Friday night
- 6Tuesday night
- 7Friday night
- 8Tuesday night
- Inaugural concert · early December
Start with the music — today.
Get your music early
Ask for the Music Room passcode on the form, or email info4amve@gmail.com. Scores and part tracks are waiting.
Friday, October 16 · 6:00 PM
The first of eight intensive rehearsals. Walk in with the notes already in your ear.
Eight rehearsals from October 16
Friday and Tuesday nights for four weeks, two hours each — then the concert.
Early December · the concert
Eight rehearsals, one inaugural concert — date and venue to be announced.
A chorus built for accomplished voices — and busy lives.
You are invited to join the ASPIRE MALE VOCAL ENSEMBLE (a TTBB chorus) in its inaugural season. A chorus for capable and competent male singers aged 25 to 50 years old, AMVE welcomes accomplished vocalists — including those who may not have sung in many years. The ensemble adopts a contemporary approach that moves beyond the traditional community-ensemble model.
If you're a lifelong “choir guy” who thrives on musical excellence and values the camaraderie of a welcoming community of brothers, AMVE is a perfect fit. Whether your experience comes from outstanding high school or collegiate choirs, contemporary a cappella groups, or professional ensembles, you'll find both artistic challenge and musical fellowship here.
Recognizing the demands of active lifestyles, the ensemble uses an efficient rehearsal process — music is provided well in advance, so rehearsal time is dedicated to musical interpretation, artistic refinement, and a unified choral sound rather than note-learning.
Membership is carefully selected to bring together exceptional musicians with diverse artistic experiences: distinctive concert seasons defined by precision, expressive performance, and exceptional musicianship.
Four musical pillars, centuries of tradition.
Hogan · Dent · Simon · Take 6 · Smallwood · Wagner · Bach · Fettke · Richter · Trotta · Hooper · Flaherty · Legend
African American Spirituals
Richly expressive settings that celebrate the depth, power, and artistry of the spiritual tradition.
- I'm Gonna Sing 'Til the Spirit MovesMoses Hogan
- Come By HereCedric Dent
- Trains A-comin'Carlos Simon
Gospel
Spirit-filled, emotionally compelling music that celebrates the energy and joy of the gospel tradition.
- If We Ever Needed the LordTake 6
- Tribute to The Winans and CommissionIn preparation
- Tribute to Southern Gospel QuartetsIn preparation
- Total PraiseRichard Smallwood
Classical & Choral Masterworks
The great European tradition alongside today's most outstanding contemporary composition.
- Pilgrims' ChorusRichard Wagner
- Sicut Locutus EstJ.S. Bach
- The Majesty and GloryTom Fettke
Inspirational Secular Works
Patriotic music, soul, R&B, jazz, folk, and international traditions — engaging and diverse.
- Make Them Hear YouStephen Flaherty
- GloryJohn Legend
Beyond the community-ensemble model.
Scores arrive early so you walk in prepared — and rehearsals start at artistry.
A process that respects careers, families, and full calendars.
Carefully chosen voices, balanced TTBB sections, a shared standard of excellence.
Thoughtfully curated programs built for meaningful audience connection.
J. Philip Williams, Ed.D
A veteran choral conductor and music educator, Dr. Williams has spent his career building ensembles defined by discipline, expression, and joy. His tenure as choir director at Oakwood Adventist Academy shaped generations of singers across the Tennessee Valley. Known for his commitment to artistic excellence and inspiring leadership, he has taught and mentored musicians from the elementary through collegiate levels.
With AMVE, he returns to a lifelong conviction: the male voice — in its full, resonant depth — deserves a stage of its own.
Questions men ask before they show up.
What is ASPIRE Male Vocal Ensemble?
A new TTBB men's chorus — two tenor parts, baritone, and bass — for men 25 to 50 in Huntsville and Madison County, Alabama, founded and directed by Dr. J. Philip Williams, Ed.D. It is built for accomplished voices and busy lives: the music arrives early, so rehearsal time goes to artistry, not note-learning.
What happens on Friday, October 16?
The first of eight intensive rehearsals, at 6:00 PM. Rehearsals run Friday and Tuesday nights for four weeks, two hours each, and lead to our inaugural concert in early December. Come having listened to your part tracks in the Music Room, and rehearsal time goes to the sound, not the notes.
I sang years ago and haven't since. Am I really welcome?
Yes — that describes much of the room. One of the men from Preview 1 put it this way: “I was surprised how seamlessly I got back into singing.” If you were a choir guy in high school, college, church, or an a cappella group, you'll find your footing fast.
Is there an audition?
Joining includes a supportive, low-stress vocal placement evaluation — sing an a cappella song you know, a brief bit of vocalizing, a short reading — designed to find your seat (Tenor 1, Tenor 2, Baritone, or Bass), not to weed anyone out. Dr. Williams will tell you when and how.
How old do I need to be?
The ensemble is for men 25 to 50.
What's the commitment once the chorus starts?
The first of eight intensive rehearsals is Friday, October 16 at 6:00 PM. Then it's Friday nights and Tuesday nights for four weeks, two hours each, followed by a concert in early December. Because the music is in your hands early, those two hours are spent on sound and interpretation.
What is the Music Room, and how do I get in?
The Music Room is the members' area of this site: the full score for every piece, a downloadable practice track for your voice part, a reference recording, and a one-tap package that zips everything for your part. It opens with a passcode. Tick “Send me the music early” on the RSVP form, or email info4amve@gmail.com, and Dr. Williams will share it with you — it's also shared at rehearsal.
Why practice before rehearsal? Can't I just learn it there?
You can, but you'll be behind. Rehearsal time is for putting it all together, not learning notes. Fifteen minutes a day with your part track means you walk in singing, not sight-reading.
Do I need to read music?
It helps, but it isn't required. Every piece comes with a practice track for your voice part and a reference recording of the whole thing, and the Vocal Studio in the Music Room has short lessons on reading if you want to brush up.
What will we sing?
Four pillars: African American spirituals, gospel, classical and choral masterworks, and inspirational secular works — Hogan, Dent, Simon, Take 6, Smallwood, Wagner, Bach, Fettke, Richter, Trotta, Hooper, Flaherty, Legend. The founding-season list is in the Music Room.
Where exactly is it, and what should I bring?
Rehearsal details come with Dr. Williams' reply to your RSVP. Bring your music — on a tablet, a phone or printed — and a bottle of water.
Is it too late to join?
Tell us anyway. Dr. Williams confirms every new singer personally — if there's room this season he'll say so, and if not, you'll be first in line for the next one. Use the form, or email info4amve@gmail.com.
Something else? Ask Dr. Williams · info4amve@gmail.com
Tell us you're in.Be there in December.
About a minute. Every response goes straight to Dr. Williams, who confirms each new singer personally — including how to get your music.Leave your name and email and we'll send the concert date and venue first. Every message goes straight to Dr. Williams.