Mississippi Public Broadcasting is set to premiere a documentary titled “I Want to Be at the Meeting: Sacred and Secular in the Mississippi Delta” this September. The film showcases the talents of Grammy-nominated artist Jontavious Willis, recent Coahoma Community College alum Tae’Angelo Carter, and members of the 2021-2022 Coahoma Community College Choir. It offers viewers an intimate look at a night filled with gospel performances deeply rooted in the rich musical traditions of the Mississippi Delta.
The documentary will be broadcast across public television stations in the region, with statewide airings scheduled for Friday, September 13, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, September 15, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. Viewers can catch the premiere on WMAO TV, Channel 23 in the local area.
Dr. Kelvin Towers is the fine arts chair and director of choral activities at CCC. He expressed the significance of this project.“Gospel music is at the heart of our community, and this film beautifully captures the spirit of the Mississippi Delta,” said Dr. Towers. “It has been a privilege to work with such talented students and artists, and I am honored that our choir is being recognized on this platform. This is a celebration of our rich musical heritage, and I hope it resonates with viewers across the state.”Dr. Towers also noted that the songs performed by the choir were uniquely arranged for the project.
From Idea to Documentary
Don Allan Mitchell, an English professor and director of the Honors Program at Delta State University, produced the film. The documentary originated as a live-streamed Black gospel concert during the pandemic. Students from Delta State’s digital media, film, and animation programs contributed to the original stream, creating valuable footage for their coursework. Boston filmmaker Ted Fisher, who co-produced the film, saw potential in the raw footage, envisioning it as a compelling short documentary.
“As a director, Ted recognized that we could capture the passion and intensity of Jontavious Willis and the CCC Choir as they performed selections from the Black gospel tradition,” said Mitchell. Despite being primarily known as a blues musician, Willis embraced the project’s focus on gospel music, sharing stories about his early experiences singing in church. “ His roots were evident during the spontaneous duet between him and the CCC Choir on ‘I Want to Be at the Meeting,’ which still gives me chills,” said Mitchell.
In addition to its television debut, “I Want to Be at the Meeting” will soon be available on the PBS Passport streaming platform.
