Final performance: Larry Bland & The Volunteer Choir give a joyful, final performance Sunday to an appreciative crowd of worshippers at St. Peter Baptist Church in Henrico County. Mr. Bland, 65, is retiring as director and chief organizer of the gospel performance group that has brought inspirational music to the region for 50 years. Mr. Bland also sang and played piano with The Volunteer Choir that has about 25 active singers. He and the choir received several ovations during the service, led by Dr. Kirkland R. Walton, pastor of St. Peter. The group, which began in 1968, was in recent years a regular part of the fifth Sunday worship service at the church on Mountain Road. (Photo by Ava Reaves)
