HBCU Choral Group to Compete in the World Choir Olympics
Filed in HBCUs on July 5, 2012
The Aeolians Choir of Oakwood University in Huntsville, Alabama, will be competing in the World Choir Olympics, July 11-13 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The World Choir Olympics, held every other year, is the largest international choir competition with more than 400 choirs from 70 countries. In all, there will about 20,000 choir members participating in the event.
Oakwood University Aeolians Choir
The choirs will compete in 23 different categories. The Oakwood University Choir will compete in three categories: contemporary music, music of religions, and Negro spirituals. The Oakwood University choir is one of only two ensembles from a historically Black college or university that was invited to compete in the World Choir Olympics. The other participating choir is from Wilberforce University in Ohio.
Here is a brief video showing the choir at the International House of Music in Moscow, Russia, earlier this year.
Thanks, JBHE, for helping us “tell the Oakwood Story.”
We’re so proud of these young people, who are also the 2010 and 2011 iSing Challenge (national HBCU choral) champions – and all done without one music or choral scholarship, a tribute to faculty leadership and their willingness to learn, a teachable spirit.
The Aeolians have always been awesome! Being a former Aeolian is a title that I wear proudly, and now everyone will know that the Oakwood University Aeolians are THE BEST MUSICIANS IN THE WORLD! Congratulations, Oakwood!