The Benedict College Gospel Choir Brings Home the Top Award at the Annual Black College Gospel Choir Competition, Once Again
October 2, 2009
Written by: Christian Walker ~ Class of 2010 and C&M Intern
Columbia, SC---October 2, 2009- For the second consecutive year, the Award-Winning Benedict College Gospel Choir (BCGC), under the direction of Mr. Darryl Izzard, won the top award at the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame Foundation's Annual Black College Choir Competition. The Gospel Choir Competition was held on Sunday, September 27, 2009 in Lithonia, GA.
The BCGC was awarded a grand prize of 3,000 dollars. This award includes a paid trip to Las Vegas to appear on Black Entertainment Network (BET) the internationally acclaimed Bobby Jones Gospel Television show. Mr. Jones is considered by many to be the "Ambassador for Gospel Music."
The competition was designed to showcase musical talents, vocal quality, creativity and spiritual passion from choirs of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). This awesome event has become the premier for HBCU gospel choirs around the country.
"I am proud of our talented students and their hard work. It is good for them to experience this type of success as a result of their efforts," said Dr. Janeen Witty, Vice President for Academic Affairs at Benedict College.
"To have a championship choir you must have a choir of champions," said Darryl Izzard, Director of Benedict College Gospel Choir. "The award from the National Hall of Fame clearly reflects the quality of all the students who participate in the program," he added.
The choir's performance was both a musical delight and inspirational experience to hundreds that assembled at the New Birth Cathedral in Lithonia, GA. Ambassador Bobby Jones hosted the competition. Local and national celebrities served as judges for the event.
Once again, the world famous award-winning Benedict College Gospel Choir reaches another plateau in its rich legacy of excellence in gospel music.
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Contacts:
Kymm Hunter, Communications and Marketing Director; 803.705.4519 hunterk@benedict.edu
Carolyn Wigfall, Communications and Marketing Manager; 803.705.4366 wigfallc@benedict.edu
