BSU Choirs Make an Impact in the Community

Gospel and Concert Choirs Perform During Black History Month

 

MEDIA CONTACT: David Thompson, dlthompson@bowiestate.edu, 301-860-4311

(BOWIE, Md.) – The voices of Bowie State’s Gospel and Concert Choirs have been resonating during Black History Month while performing at a variety of venues in the DMV captivating listeners with their repertoire and leaving them with a growing appreciation of the university’s chorale department. 

Earlier this month the Gospel Choir sang the Black National Anthem and traditional National Anthem at the Washington Wizards HBCU Night and performed with American University’s Gospel Choir at First Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Dumfries, Virginia. 

The Concert Choir has performed at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, First Baptist Church of Highland Park, Greater St. John Cathedral, and at HBCU Sunday at Kingdom Fellowship AME Church.   

“Lift Every Voice and Sing” has been the common thread, the one song that we’ve performed at all of our engagements this month,” said Brandon Felder, director of the Concert Choir. “The song has special meaning and reminds us of the resilience and determination that shaped our history.” 

The choir also has special meaning for its members as noted by Mikayla Fadlin, a junior criminal justice major and vice president of the Concert Choir.  

“Concert Choir has given me more confidence, helped me to grow emotionally and makes me feel like it’s a family which is very important to me and other members,” said Fadlin. “The more the choirs perform the more light is shed on the importance of the arts.”   

In addition to the travel schedule, Felder will lead a music master class and workshop on March 12 focused on song writing and music for social change and social justice. The workshop will feature Grammy nominated artists Eric Roberson and Mumu Fresh.  

 On April 12 -14, the Concert Choir will travel to New York to participate in the Ithaca College Gospel Chorale Music Invitational Festival. Two weeks later on April 27, BSU’s Concert Choir with choirs from Howard University and Morgan State will perform a major concert with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra at Meyerhoff Concert Hall. 

“We see ourselves as Bowie State ambassadors embracing excellence through song,” said Felder. “I’m looking forward to the university’s Gospel and Concert choir performing together before school ends this year.” 

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