Gold medal winning Brazeal Dennard Chorale presents Aug. 26 Encore Concert at Hartford Memorial Baptist Church

DETROIT/Aug. 9. 2012—The critically acclaimed Brazeal Dennard Chorale, directed by Dr. Augustus Hill, will present a World Choir Games Encore Concert on Aug. 26 at Hartford Memorial Baptist Church in Detroit. The concert will feature selections performed by members of the Brazeal Dennard Chorale during the recent World Choir Games in Cincinnati where the Chorale won a gold medal in the spiritual music competition and a silver medal in the mixed chamber music category.

“We have just returned victorious from the ‘Olympics of Choral Music’ and we are so grateful that Hartford Church has extended this wonderful opportunity to share the experience with our families, friends and longtime supporters throughout metropolitan Detroit,” said Don Robinson, executive director of the Chorale.

“Our travels may take us to points across the nation and globe, but we remain Detroit’s hometown group and we invite our community to join us on Aug. 26 to hear the music that touched hearts and brought people from vast cultures to their feet at the World Choir Games.”

Hosted in the United States for the first time, the 2012 World Choir Games (July 4-14) attracted more than 15,000 participants from 70 nations.

“It was a once in a lifetime experience,” said Janice Cowan, an alto and one of 22 Brazeal Dennard Chorale singers to make the trip.  “Being able to come together with choirs from all over the world was breathtaking.  And we felt really good about what we are because we stood up against the best in the world.  It was an inspirational experience and euphoria set in when we realized we won the medals.”      

During the Encore Concert Cowan and her fellow Chorale members will showcase music for the entire family featuring sacred Negro spirituals and classical selections.

“I don’t view this concert as a culmination, but more as an opportunity and a springboard,” said Dr. Hill, who also presented a symposium during the World Choir Games entitled “The American Negro Spiritual: A Gift to Choral Music.”

“For people who have not been exposed to us, it is an opportunity to get interested and excited about the Chorale and with their support we can take the group to the next level as we fulfill our mission.”

Hartford Memorial Baptist Church is located at 18700 James Couzens Freeway in northwest Detroit. Tickets for the Sunday 4 p.m. concert are $20 and can be purchased by contacting the Chorale office at 313-331-0378 or 313-823-5278. Tickets also will be available at the door the afternoon of the event.

“We are really looking forward to letting the community know what we are and what they have in us,” says Cowan, who invites all segments of the community to come out on the 26^th.

Named after its legendary founder, the late Brazeal Dennard, the Brazeal DennardChorale’s mission is to “remember, discover, preserve, and share the Negro spiritual as a part of the artistic community, and to rediscover and perform significant choral works by African American composers.” To learn more about the Brazeal Dennard Chorale please visit www.brazealdennard.org or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/brazeal.dennard.