Students vie for most talented gospel singer

By Alison Angel

angela@mytjnow.com

Student talent and black history is showcased through gospel and religious music.

Winthrop’s first-ever gospel singing competition is set to take the stage the day before Valentine’s Day.

Austin Jefferson, freshman integrated marketing major, is a part of Winthrop’s Vision of Prayze gospel choir, which generated the idea for the competition.  

The gospel choir’s Leadership Team came together to come up with ideas, and a singing competition based off of gospel music came to mind, Jefferson said.

The idea was based off the hit show “Sunday Best,” which airs on BET.

“Although it is not an exact replica of the series, there are many aspects that are the same,” Jefferson said.  “There will be four guest judges, a four member live band and three background vocalists.”

Ten students made it into the gospel competition this year.  

In order to be eligible for competition, students must have attended one of two audition dates in January where they sang a portion of a religious song showcasing their abilities.  

Jefferson said they were then judged based on tone quality, composure while singing and if the song was suitable for their particular voice.

Jefferson said, because February is Black History Month, there will also be informative presentations throughout the competition that focus on historic black figures in both America and the Gospel Music Industry.

“The purpose of Sunday Best is to not only showcase the talented students of our university, but to educate the attendees of the history of gospel music and the significance it has in our world today,” Jefferson said.

Solomon Eagles, sophomore biology major, is also a member of Vision of Prayze.  

Eagles said he saw a gospel choir at Charleston Southern University  hold this type of competition. 

He thought it would be a great idea to hold one at Winthrop because it was such a success at his previous school.

“I feel this competition is going to be a success and a blessing,” Eagles said.  “It’s not the competition that is important,  but it’s the ministry that is incorporated in it.  Ministering to the people through song.”

Although this is the first time Winthrop has hosted such an event, Eagles said he hopes the competition will continue as an annual event and that the student body will come out and support them.

The competition will feature two rounds in which each of the contestants will be required to pick and perform two different songs, which range from Contemporary Christian and Christian Pop to Traditional Gospel.  

The Sunday Best Singing Competition will be performed at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 13, in Tillman Auditorium and will showcase a performance by the Vision of Prayze Gospel Choir in addition to the ten competing singers.  

Tickets are $2 with student I.D. and $5 for the public.