Concert ‘In Black’ spotlights college choirs

Kimberley McGee

Friday, March 1, 2002 | 3:56 a.m.

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The voices of famed black choral groups will unite in a unique Las Vegas cultural tradition this month.

The black chorus singers of the fifth Las Vegas Vocal Extravaganza "In Black" will perform March 13 at Paris Las Vegas' Les Theatre des Arts.

The two-hour concert will air on PBS (KLVX Channel 10) at a date to be determined. New York broadcast journalist Tony Brown will host the music show.

The four choral groups scheduled to perform are from Lemoyne-Owen College in Memphis, Tenn.; Hampton University in Hampton, Va.; Bennett College in Greens Borough, N.C.; and Kentucky State University in Frankfort, Ky.

The choirs will sing music selections from opera, blues, jazz, gospel, hip-hop, spirituals and Broadway shows.

Singers practice year-round to compete individually and in groups for the Vocal Extravaganza showcase.

"These are the best in the country," Dr. William Bailey, founder of the Vocal Extravaganza, said. "This is the most diverse, pleasing cultural presence to come out of Las Vegas."

Bailey began the choral concert in 1997 as a platform to showcase talent hidden in black colleges and universities nationwide, he said. Since its inception the Vocal Extravaganza has featured 28 schools and more than 1,500 performers. More than 8,000 people have attended the past Las Vegas performances.

A longtime Las Vegas resident, Bailey, 73, sang in the Morehouse College choir in Atlanta with classmate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and toured as a tenor with Count Basie.

Las Vegas is the perfect backdrop for a cultural event of this nature, Bailey said.

"Our goal is for people outside of Las Vegas to know that there is something here besides girlie shows," Bailey said. "Every year people come to Las Vegas to see our show and realize that there is respect for culture here."

Each participating school has a rich history in black music and represents Historically Black Colleges in America, an association made up of highly regarded black colleges across the country.

The award-winning Hampton University Concert Choir was formed in 1870 and will begin this year's Vocal Extravaganza with historic spirituals.

The College Concert Choir of Lemoyne-Owen College is 140 years old and has crafted singers of international acclaim. The choir, conducted by choral conductor Stephen L. Hayes, has previously made appearances with actors Sidney Poitier, Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee.

Bennett College was founded in 1873 by a group of former slaves. The school was designated a woman's college in 1926 and has had an award-winning female choral group for more than 75 years.

The University Concert Choir at Kentucky State University will sing gospel songs under the direction of Dr. Carl Smith. The choir has toured the United States and Europe extensively.

Each school was chosen to participate by Bailey for its musical strength and presentation.

"Very seldom do we have the opportunity to be exposed to the wonderful work done by these choirs," Bailey said. "This is a huge event that has been hidden from the world. We let them shine."