Appreciation service for GMWA Youth Choir director Walter Tardy set

To show its appreciation and gratitude for the untiring service of New Orleans’ own Walter Tardy, director of the Gospel Music Workshop of America Youth Choir, the Southern General Ministry Baptist Association is sponsoring an appreciation service on Saturday, July 23, at 5:00 p.m. at The Asia Baptist Church, 1400 Sere Street, New Orleans, La.

Featuring soloists and choirs, the music is a sendoff for Tardy to the Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA) in Tampa, Fla., where he will again represent the Crescent City Aug. 13-19 at the nation’s largest convention of gospel recording artists and musicians.

Tardy began playing the Hammond organ and directing choirs for churches and Baptist associations in the New Orleans area at the age of nine at the Little Antioch Baptist Church. He currently serves as the music director for the New Orleans and Pla­quemines Parish Regional Youth choir and as a board member for the GMWA New Orleans chapter.

In addition to serving as organist and director for his church, the Asia Baptist Church, and at the Tulane Memorial Baptist Church, Tardy serves as director of music for the Southern General, the Christian Ministers Missionary Baptist Association of Plaquemines parish and the Louisiana Freedman’s Baptist Association.

Tardy was inspired by his grandmother, the late Mary Moore, who served as organist for Evergreen Baptist Church. When she retired, Tardy took over as organist at his home church, Evergreen, at age 13.

He graduated from Joseph S. Clark Senior High School and attended Southern University at New Orleans and retired from the Orleans Parish School Board.

“Bro. Tardy has done so much to support the churches of Greater New Orleans, and this is one small way for us to say thanks for his years of dedication and service,” said the Rev. Dr. Louis W. Smith, president of the Southern General Missionary Baptist Association.

“It’s important as New Orleans continues to rebuild that we have music that heals the soul and makes us whole,” Smith added. “When Bro. Tardy goes to the GMWA, he brings back to New Orleans the latest music — some even unpublished —that meets the needs of our churches and our community.”

Tardy said one of his greatest joys is working with the youth. “I love teaching them that there is a message in every song,” Tardy explained. “I tell them that despite what they may be going through, there is still hope.”

The public is invited to attend the appreciation service.

This article originally published in the July 11, 2011 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.