Jason Max Ferdinand leads Oakwood University's elite chorale, the Aeolians, in the performace at Reid Temple AME Church in Maryland Nov. 5 at which they were acclaimed as winners of the 2010 Choir Challenge for Historically Black Colleges and Universities. HUNTSVILLE, AL --
elite choral ensemble, the Aeolians, took top honors in the recent
.
The group, which has performed internationally, was one of four choirs from Historically Black Colleges and Universities to be invited to compete in the finals, held Nov. 5 at Reid Temple AME Church in Glenn Dale, Md. Winners of the competition are considered the top vocal ensemble for America's HBCUs.
Led by Jason Max Ferdinand, the Aeolians performed "My Soul's Been Anchored," featuring student soprano soloist Whitney Morrison. The anthem is full of tough harmonies, poly-rhythms and musical surprises.
But even more surprising was their second piece, the Aeolians' adaptation of "Jerusalem," in which they have inserted part of Kirk Franklin's "Hosanna."
Accompanied by student organist Neil Thomas, student pianist Dennis Baptiste, and a gospel band, the arrangement includes massive instrumental support that suddenly, at the transition, drops out to leave the voices suspended by their own power and vocal percussion from the men's section.
The first-place finish brings with it a $5,000 award for the choir, which was also featured this summer at the Seventh-day Adventist General Conference, which is held once every four years.
The Aeolians' next local performance will be during the open session of the 2010 Pastoral Evangelism and Leadership Conference, which will be held in the Oakwood University Seventh-day Adventist Church on Dec. 5 at 8 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.