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Founder Tracy Bjella Powers directs the Alamo City Street Choir in a performance at Travis Park UMC. (Courtesy Photo)
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The program included songs and stories from choir members. (Courtesy Photo)
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The Alamo City Street Choir brought music, story and poetry to its performance. (Courtesy Photo)
Travis Park UMC News | March 18, 2026
A remarkable circle of musicians and guest artists joined the Alamo City Street Choir for Songs & Stories from the Street.
Founded in 2019 by Tracy Bjella Powers as a program of the San Antonio Chamber Choir, the Alamo City Street Choir brings together singers from many walks of life to build confidence, belonging, and stability through music and creative expression in a supportive and collaborative community.
More than 130 people gathered in the sanctuary at Travis Park United Methodist Church on Sunday afternoon, March 15, for the Songs & Stories from the Street Concert & Fundraiser, filling the space with music, poetry, and a spirit of shared joy.
The program opened with “Soon and Very Soon” and moved seamlessly between gospel, contemporary music, and beloved classics. The choir performed pieces including “Here I Am, Lord,” “There’s a River,” “Best Day of My Life,” “Vivir Mi Vida,” and the closing anthem “Don’t Stop Believin’.”
One of the most powerful moments of the afternoon came during “Here I Am, Lord.” As the song unfolded, individual choir members stood to sing their lines, each offering the same words: Here I am, Lord. Some voices rang out boldly. Others were softer. Some were spoken in different languages. But together they created something deeply moving, a reminder that every person in that choir is a beloved child of God, each voice adding something irreplaceable to the whole.
Throughout the concert, music was interwoven with poetry and personal reflection. Several pieces featured poetry written by choir member Melinda Pineda, and read by former mayor Ron Nirenberg, adding a deeply personal dimension to the program. Then came the reading of Jerry’s Memoir, shared by Pastor Bob Clark. The story offered a window into the lived experiences behind many of the voices in the choir, reminding listeners that the music heard on stage is part of a much larger story, one of resilience, healing, community, and restoration.
The concert featured an outstanding ensemble of guest musicians who joined the choir throughout the afternoon, including Katie Shaw-Meadow (piano), Mike Bjella (saxophone), David McGinnis (congas), David Trawick (trumpet), Tracy Bjella Powers (violin), David Lodge (guitar), and Tim Welch (bass). Special musical moments included a moving rendition of “Amazing Grace “by MiChelle Garibay-Carey, often called “San Antonio’s First Lady of Soul,” and a soprano solo by Lindsay Selli.
Choir Director Tracy Bjella Powers was the driving force behind this concert. With the support of volunteers, musicians, and community partners, this concert came to life over several months, and the pride felt throughout the room reflected the deep appreciation many have for the work Tracy continues to lead.
“Tracy doesn’t just direct the Street Choir – she creates a space where the street choir members are truly seen and heard. She gives her own time with a generosity that feels rare, and she teaches with a patience that lifts people up. Whether she’s helping someone find their rhythm, discover their tone, or simply believe in their own voice, she does it all with joy. Tracy doesn’t just teach music – she teaches dignity.” – Stacy Harless, Travis Park UMC member and Alamo City Street Choir volunteer
One of the most striking aspects of the afternoon was the sheer excellence of the performance. The choir, musicians, and soloists delivered a concert that was not only a meaningful community program but musically outstanding. It was a beautifully crafted concert, thoughtfully arranged and powerfully performed.
For many in attendance, the concert was more than a performance. It was an opportunity to encounter neighbors whose stories are often overlooked but whose gifts are undeniable. Through music, poetry, and testimony, the choir created a space where voices that are too often unheard were lifted and celebrated. It was a reminder that when people walk alongside one another, something powerful happens. We are shaped along the way.
Travis Park Church serves as the choir’s weekly rehearsal home, and many members of the congregation volunteer their time in support of the group. The choir’s presence is a natural extension of the church’s ongoing relationships with neighbors experiencing homelessness through ministries like Sunday morning breakfast (since 1999), the Corazon Medical Clinic, the Clothing Closet, Prayer & Recovery Circle (since 2000) and other programs rooted in dignity and social justice.
Events like this make it possible for the Alamo City Street Choir to continue gathering each week. The financial generosity of those who gave during the concert helps sustain the choir’s ongoing work, building community through music and welcoming new singers into the circle. Over $2,400 was raised during the concert.
Tracy’s vision for the future continues to grow. In the years ahead, she hopes to expand the program to include visual arts, theater, and dance, inviting more artists to help shape what comes next.
If you would like to support the work of the Alamo City Street Choir, you can learn more or make a gift at sachamberchoir.org.
Concertgoers didn’t just hear the choir that afternoon. They encountered something that stayed with them long after the final song.
Visit Travis Park UMC’s website for more photos and videos of music from the concert.
Juliette Clark is communications director for Travis Park United Methodist Church in San Antonio, Texas. This article is republished with permission from the church’s website.