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Black Diamond Choir History

The Black Diamond Choir(BDC) is a one-hour credit course offered at the University of Louisville each semester. (Listed under Black Chorus in the Schedule of Classes Brochure.)
Organized in 1969, the student gospel group has been singing the Lord's praises and sharing the "Good News" locally around Louisville, KY and in various locations within Kentucky, Indiana, Tennessee, Ohio, and Georgia. Some of their performances include:

• National Black Gospel College Choir Festival
• National Baptist Student Union Retreat
• African Heritage Weekend on the Belvedere
• Kentucky Center for the Arts
• "Dickens on Main Street" Christmas Event
• Theatre Workshop of Louisville's production of the "Amen Corner"
• WAVE-TV 3 "Step Awards"
• Kentucky Higher Education Council of College Presidents
• National Anthem at the University of Louisville Homecoming Football Games
• Martin Luther King Commemorative Ceremony
• The Govenor's Conference on Post-secondary Education
• Inagural Conference of the Center for Congressions and Family Ministries
• Louisville Defender Newspaper's 60th Annual Minority Consumer Expo
• Opening Ceremonies of U of L Papa John's Cardinal Football Stadium
• "Sing Ye", a local gospel television program
• National Prayer Breakfast, 422nd Air Base Squadron RAF Croughton Air Force Base
• Black History Month Celebration Banquet, 422nd Air Base Squadron RAF Croughton Air Force Base

In the Spring of 2000, history was made when BDC was featured in its first International concert at RAF Croughton Air Force Base, located just outside London, England.

The choir has also been showcased in the following recordings:

• Flexible disc,"Coming Like a Thief"
• "Sights and Sounds from Many Faiths"
• Two cuts on "Volume II: The Third Annual National Black Gospel College Choir Festival"

The one hundred member choir continues the represent the University of Louisville at least twice a month in the community at various churches and civic organizations. Not only does the choir minister with its music, but BDC also sponsors an annual "Feed Families for Christmas Drive." This initiative is an outreach project serving the needy in the community. In 1999, over a 100 families were provided Christmas baskets as a result of this program.

The choir has been he subject of several newspaper and magazine articles and continues to be in great demand within the Louisville community. The Black Diamond Choir members are truly Ambassadors for the University of Louisville.

***The choir’s recent recording in 2007 included the CW Network’s “Sounds of the Season” Television special.

Musically talented with performances and recordings, the choir has been showcased with National recording artists such as:

• The late Rev. Donald Vails
• Donald Lawrence
• Bobby Jones
• Brenda Waters
• Lonnie Hunter
• Vanshawn Mitchell
• Rodney Bryant
• Lamar Campbell
• Darius Brooks
• "JJ" Hairston
• Jonathan Dunn
• Myron Butler
• Darrel Harris

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