The Aeolians Choir of Oakwood University, the lone choir from Alabama and Seventh-day Adventism, in its first-ever world choral competition, won three gold medals in its three competing categories: "Music of the Religions,” “Musica Contemporanea” and “The Spirituals,” at the 7th World Choir Games, held July 4-14, 2012, in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Overcoming challenges such as an unbudgeted event, student choristers scattered across the country, new music to learn, and the unfamiliar landscape and politics of being new- and late-comers to international competition, this HBCU David competed gloriously amongst the multi-national Goliaths.
42 members make up the Aeolians Choir headed up by director Jason Max Ferdinand and Music Department Chair Dr. Wayne Bucknor.
In all, Oakwood University would be going up against 15,000 choristers (362 choirs) representing 48 countries and 22 US States - competing in 23 different musical categories at 5 different musical venues.
“The last category we got the CHAMPIONSHIP rank," Ferdinand stated. "Tears were flowing, laughter, disbelief, shock etc. The Aeolians rose to the challenge and on their debut at the World Choir Games, among nearly 400 choirs from all over the world, made a great impact. So proud of these students.”
Sixteen international choirs competed in the “Music of the Religions” category. After practicing flawlessly and repeatedly their auditorium entrance and stage spacing, Alabama’s finest strode majestically on to the world stage, to politically polite applause. The Aeolians won the gold in the “Music of the Religions” category singing "John Saw Duh Numbuh," "The Prayer," "The Holy City" and "The Seven-fold Amen."
This biennial event, the world's largest choral competition, will next occur in Riga, Latvia in 2014.
Posted By: Reginald Culpepper
Friday, July 20th 2012 at 3:35PM
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