For half a century, a Dillard University choir director has shaped the voices and spirits of students in New Orleans, building a legacy of vocal excellence that extends far beyond the campus gates. The director's five-decade tenure has become central to Dillard's arts mission and has contributed meaningfully to the broader musical heritage of New Orleans itself—a city where music runs through the veins of the community.
This milestone of sustained artistic leadership reflects the deep commitment that HBCU music programs bring to their institutions and their cities. Choral programs at historically Black colleges and universities have long served as incubators for talent, spaces for cultural expression, and anchors of institutional identity. The work of directing a university choir demands not only technical expertise but also the ability to inspire, mentor, and preserve musical traditions while adapting to new generations of singers.
Meanwhile, the Virginia Union University Gospel Choir is stepping into a historic moment of its own. The VUUGC has advanced to the ballot for the inaugural HBCU Choir of the Year category at the 41st Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards—a recognition that places HBCU choral excellence on a national stage. Directed by Prof. Joel Lester through the Hezekiah Walker Center for Gospel Music at VUU, the choir is one of 13 HBCU choral groups competing for this inaugural honor.
The competition represents a significant acknowledgment of the role that HBCU choirs play in gospel music and American musical culture more broadly. For supporters of Virginia Union's program, the path to voting is clear. Public voting is open at thestellarawards.com—click the "Calling All HBCU" banner to access the ballot. Alternatively, voters can cast their ballot directly at https://www.balloteer.com/bp/nph-bstart?&eid=21201457813771191871. The voting window runs through June 1, with official nominees announced on June 3.
These two stories—one reflecting on decades of quiet, sustained excellence, and one capturing a moment of emerging national recognition—tell a larger narrative about HBCU choral traditions. Whether measured in years of service or in competitive recognition, the work of directing and singing in HBCU choirs represents a commitment to artistry, community, and the preservation of African American musical heritage.
Why this matters: HBCU choral programs are more than performance ensembles—they are cultural institutions that develop artists, preserve traditions, and strengthen community bonds. When a director serves for 50 years, or when an HBCU choir competes on a national stage, these moments affirm the value of sustained investment in the arts at historically Black institutions. Supporting these programs, whether through attendance, voting, or advocacy, helps ensure that future generations of HBCU students have access to the transformative power of choral music.