For the past 38 years, the Black Celestial Choral Ensemble has graced the Syracuse University community with its songs and charitable acts and this year the group is looking to add nearly 15 new voices.

Over the past weekend, the gospel group held auditions to replace seniors that graduated last spring. The auditions, which consisted of a panel of directors and section leaders listening to individuals sing and answer interview questions, were held in hopes of adding to the ensemble that currently consists of about 25 active members, said club director Byron Canada. The group had numbers in the low 40s last year prior to graduation.

One of the group’s main events this year is Coming Back Together. During the event, a large group of alumni come back to sing and share stories about where their lives have gone and how BCCE has helped them get to where they are in their lives today, Canada said.

This year, Reverend Richard Hill and the Historically Black Church, which is a part of Hendricks Chapel, will advise the group. In addition to continuing to be a registered student organization, they have been discussing the possibility of praise and worship services held on weeknights this semester, said business manager Nina Rodgers, a columnist for The Daily Orange. Although it’s still in the works, it would most likely take place a few times a semester and be open to the public.

GospelMania, a workshop held by the organization last year, will be taking place again this February. Other schools will be attending and there will possibly be a special gospel artist, Rodgers said.

“My personal goal is to strengthen the relationship between BCCE and other offices on campus,” she said.

Along with hosting concerts and attending events, the organization is also involved with charitable service and community outreach. In the past, the BCCE has participated in fundraisers such as breast cancer walks and singing at local hospitals. Canada was particularly proud of the time the group hosted a Christmas for a family in need, providing food, gifts and good spirit.

Canada said that he would love to do something like the family Christmas again in the future, mentioning how fulfilling it was to give back to the community.

One annual event that the group partakes in is their Spring Break Tour. The BCCE travels to other religious organizations, particularly ones in the hometowns of ensemble members, to perform with members of other communities, Canada said. They also perform at the Martin Luther King Jr. event held in the Carrier Dome every year.

Along with its community efforts, the group also displayed its talent by taking first place at a Binghamton choral competition last year, Canada said. They also attend non-competitive choral events held by other schools, such as the State University of New York Cortland Gospel Music Festival.

Rodgers, the business manager, said she was optimistic for the ensemble, saying that becoming a member her freshman year was a pivotal moment, and she wants the same warm welcome for the new members this year. She said she was taken under the wing of the group, and she will always be thankful for that.

“I would not be where I am in college today without BCCE,” Rodgers said.

CORRECTION: In the Sept. 15 article, “Black Celestial Choral Ensemble puts in work on stage, in the community,” Nina Rodgers was misidentified. She is currently a columnist for The Daily Orange. The Daily Orange regrets this error. 

Published on September 15, 2014 at 12:01 am

Contact Erin: eemcdona@syr.edu