Members of VCU’s Black Awakening Choir (BAC) are still ecstatic after a road tour that took place March 7-12. The trip helped showcase the university during a second annual recruitment tour.
The Black Awakening Choir visited churches and high schools in Northern Virginia and throughout North Carolina.
Kevin Hall, the choir’s director, said the tour had many purposes. It served as a recruitment vehicle for VCU, encouraged high school students to stay in school and was a chance to celebrate Christianity.
Before the tour Hall expressed his excitement.
“It’s a great experience,” said Hall. “It gives the choir exposure by going into new and different territory. It allows the choir to retreat a little, to bond together and gives us the opportunity to fellowship with people.”
Vanessa Williams, a second-year member of the choir, also couldn’t wait for the tour to kick off. “I am so excited to go on tour,” said Williams. “I am excited to sing and minister.”
The choir had six engagements during the four days it was on tour. They stopped in Roanoke and Martinsville and made two stops each in Greensboro and Charlotte N.C. The award-winning choir sang songs from recording artists such as Hezekiah Walker, Youthful Praise and Donald Lawrence.
The choir was established by two VCU students in 1971 and now was more than 80 members. Last year students decided to give back to the university by assisting with recruitment.
BAC is a campus organization and represented VCU during its travel. Reuban Rodriguez, VCU associate vice provost and dean of students affairs, supports Black Awakening and its endeavors. “The VCU Black Awakening Choir is an excellent organization that gives VCU students a terrific opportunity to showcase their many talents and abilities,” said Rodriguez.
This was the second consecutive tour for the choir members.
For many of the choir members, the trip was their first road tour with a musical group. Eric Penn, a freshman, said he joined the choir because he loves to sing and touring was another way for him to express one of his passions.
“The tour was exhilarating,” said Penn. “It helped the choir’s unity and we reached a lot people who never heard us before and it [tour] gave us exposure.”
For Williams, the greatest reward also was being with her fellow choir members and getting to know them better.
Audiences who heard their performance are equally pleased based on postings to BAC’s Web site.
Nicole Callands, co-pastor of New Calvary Baptist Church in Greensboro, N.C., said that she benefited from the service.
“I wanted to tell you all that I enjoyed your ministry. I also want to encourage you to continue to do ministry in excellence and put your all into serving God,” wrote Callands.
Even though this tour was mainly for recruitment purposes, Hall continues to promote the choir’s theme which is “Perfecting praise through elevation, excitement, and excellence in ministry.”
The choir looks forward to its annual upcoming spring concert which will be held on April 21. For more information, please visit the Web site at www.blackawakening.com.
The Black Awakening Choir visited churches and high schools in Northern Virginia and throughout North Carolina.
Kevin Hall, the choir’s director, said the tour had many purposes. It served as a recruitment vehicle for VCU, encouraged high school students to stay in school and was a chance to celebrate Christianity.
Before the tour Hall expressed his excitement.
“It’s a great experience,” said Hall. “It gives the choir exposure by going into new and different territory. It allows the choir to retreat a little, to bond together and gives us the opportunity to fellowship with people.”
Vanessa Williams, a second-year member of the choir, also couldn’t wait for the tour to kick off. “I am so excited to go on tour,” said Williams. “I am excited to sing and minister.”
The choir had six engagements during the four days it was on tour. They stopped in Roanoke and Martinsville and made two stops each in Greensboro and Charlotte N.C. The award-winning choir sang songs from recording artists such as Hezekiah Walker, Youthful Praise and Donald Lawrence.
The choir was established by two VCU students in 1971 and now was more than 80 members. Last year students decided to give back to the university by assisting with recruitment.
BAC is a campus organization and represented VCU during its travel. Reuban Rodriguez, VCU associate vice provost and dean of students affairs, supports Black Awakening and its endeavors. “The VCU Black Awakening Choir is an excellent organization that gives VCU students a terrific opportunity to showcase their many talents and abilities,” said Rodriguez.
This was the second consecutive tour for the choir members.
For many of the choir members, the trip was their first road tour with a musical group. Eric Penn, a freshman, said he joined the choir because he loves to sing and touring was another way for him to express one of his passions.
“The tour was exhilarating,” said Penn. “It helped the choir’s unity and we reached a lot people who never heard us before and it [tour] gave us exposure.”
For Williams, the greatest reward also was being with her fellow choir members and getting to know them better.
Audiences who heard their performance are equally pleased based on postings to BAC’s Web site.
Nicole Callands, co-pastor of New Calvary Baptist Church in Greensboro, N.C., said that she benefited from the service.
“I wanted to tell you all that I enjoyed your ministry. I also want to encourage you to continue to do ministry in excellence and put your all into serving God,” wrote Callands.
Even though this tour was mainly for recruitment purposes, Hall continues to promote the choir’s theme which is “Perfecting praise through elevation, excitement, and excellence in ministry.”
The choir looks forward to its annual upcoming spring concert which will be held on April 21. For more information, please visit the Web site at www.blackawakening.com.
Photo courtesy of www.blackawakening.com
