November 1, 2010

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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Former members of the University of Alabama at Birmingham Gospel Choir will return to the UAB campus this month to celebrate the choir's 15th anniversary with a reunion concert at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 22, 2010, in UAB's Alys Stephens Center, 1200 10th Ave. South.

The concert will feature a reunion choir, and music will be performed in three large segments: 1995-2000, 2001-05 and 2006-10, said Gospel Choir Director Kevin P. Turner. The choir also will debut songs from their new "Mirrors" CD. The CD, enhanced with web links to videos, will be available for purchase at the concert, two months before the national release.

Turner is inviting all former UAB Gospel choir members to come celebrate. "We are asking that former choir members, musicians, lead singers, dancers, everyone who has been involved with the choir in the past 15 years participate," Turner says. "Former students from this area and throughout the continental United States will be returning to UAB for that weekend." The rehearsals for the Reunion Choir will begin Nov. 7 and four rehearsals will be held. Participants can visit www.uabgospelchoir.org for the reunion choir rehearsal dates.

The concert will feature a full horn section, band, decorations and a souvenir book, which will be available for purchase. WAGG Heaven 610 AM will broadcast the concert live from the Alys Stephens Center. Concert tickets are $7; $6 for groups of 20 or more (advance purchase required); and $5 for UAB students and employees. Call 205-975-2787 for tickets.

A CD preview listening party is planned for 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 21 in Greater Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, 2135 Jefferson Ave. Southwest.

Visit the UAB Department of Music online at www.uab.edu/cas/music. Additional reunion and concert details will be available at www.facebook.com/uabgospelchoir.

About the UAB Gospel Choir

The UAB Gospel Choir is a music performance class that is open to all UAB students. One credit hour is earned for participating. The choir has grown from 38 voices in 1995 to an average of 145. The choir has released three CDs and a DVD, presents sold-out concerts at the Alys Stephens Center and tours annually. The choir's recordings are available on campus at Barnes & Noble at UAB, cdbaby.com, iTunes and Amazon.com. In 2008 the group's song "After You've Prayed About It" debuted at No. 23 on XM Radio's Spirit Channel play list; two weeks later, it climbed to the No. 2 spot for six weeks. It is a national and international ambassador for the university, receiving critical acclaim in newspapers, on television and online. Its international impact led to an invitation to London; the choir will tour London and Holland in spring 2011.