The choirs of the only two historically Black colleges (HBCUs) for women in the country will come together in celebration of Women’s History Month creating a “herstoric” moment for both colleges.
Bennett College was founded in 1873, and re-established as a women’s college in 1926, when the choir was formed. Spelman College was founded in 1881 and the glee club in 1925. With a combined history of 179 years, the choirs will for the first time, unite for a joint concert on Monday, March 16, 2015. The herstoric event, free and open to the public, will begin at 7:00 pm in the Annie Merner Pfeiffer Chapel on the campus of Bennett College. Doors will open at 6:15 pm.
“To say we are excited is an understandment, said Dr. Rosalind Fuse-Hall, President of Bennett College. “As we celebrate Women’s History Month, honoring the many contributions of women world-wide, we bring to this community, an artistic performance that will surely be exhilarating and transformative. History documents that music elevates the spirit and we are excited to bring such a performance to Greensboro. The audience will enjoy an evening of classical, traditional and gospel selections. We welcome President Dr. Beverly Tatum of Spelman College to campus and this musical partnership exhibits the strength of collaboration among the colleges.
During its 89-year history, the Bennett College Choir has developed a reputation for being one of the outstanding female choral groups in the country. They have performed for President William “Bill” Clinton, Oprah Winfrey, Coretta Scott King, Robert “Bob” Dole, Andrew Young, Jessie Jackson and Judge Glenda Hatchett to name a few. They have toured with the renowned Georgia Mass Choir and accompanied Tye Tribbitt as he performed at the 2014 UNCF “An Evening of Stars”. The choir’s “Sharing Our Gift of Music” tour provided them an opportunity to sing to those affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
The Spelman College Glee Club has maintained a formal reputation of choral excellence since its inception. They have performed Gershwin’s opera, Porgy and Bess with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Morehouse College Glee Club under the baton of maestro Robert Spano and they performed during the Romare Bearden exhibit at Atlanta’s High Museum of Arts. Mostly recently, they appeared on The BET Honors with Howard University’s choir.
“The discussions between the two choirs started about five years ago,” said Valerie Johnson, Bennett’s choir director. “We are the only two historically black colleges for women in the country and that in itself is reason to celebrate. We hope this concert represents a new tradition in the lives of the two colleges.”
For more information, call 336-517-2267
Posted By: Reginald Culpepper
Friday, February 27th 2015 at 4:54PM
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