The Over the Mountain Festival of Sacred Music is the ninth annual event of Over the Mountain Festivals. Singers from a number of church choirs and other choral groups will gather as one to share with their churches and communities an afternoon of sacred choral music in a program entitled “Holy Songs of Joy.”  This concert, consisting of compositions spanning 500 years, from the Baroque to modern sacred composers,, is presented by the Over the Mountain Festival of Sacred Music Chorus, directed by Dr. Thomas Smith and accompanied by a chamber orchestra of professional musicians, many of whom are members of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, and organist Diane Norton. This year’s program also includes hymns for congregational singing. This year’s Chorus of consists of 90+ singers from 30+ different choirs and choral groups from Birmingham as well as other cities in the Southeast.  Dr. Thomas Smith is Professor of Music Emeritus from Auburn, where he was in charge of choral activities and Chairman of the Music Department. Diane Hooton Norton grew up in Birmingham and is a magna cum laude graduate of Samford University with the Bachelor of Music Degree in organ.