Benson Blake Photography » choir

How Sweet the Sound Finale

Benson Blake Photography — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 17:13:17 +0000

A sold out Verizon Center was host to the 2010 How Sweet the Sound Finale in Washington, DC. Music fans witnessed one of the most spirit-filled church choir competitions of the year. The participating choirs were regional finalists selected from a 14-city U.S. tour. Grammy Award-winning gospel artists Donald Lawrence and CeCe Winans hosted the event.

Marvin Sapp, Karen-Clark Sheard, and Fred Hammond served as judges for the evening, offering some honest and often hilarious feedback. The audience was treated to special performances by BeBe & CeCe Winans and each of the judges. All the choirs had a unique presentation style… some were very energetic with choreography, while others simply stood there and sang their hearts out. It was obvious that many hours were spent rehearsing for this one night. Big shout out to the bands that played live for each of the choirs. The behind the scenes production and stage management was amazing! Everything flowed seamlessly… the choir & band transitions, stage lighting, sound, and video production. Thanks to Verizon for making this a first class production.

The winning choir was "Voices of Destiny" from Compton, CA performing the song "My Time for God's Favor (Presence of the Lord Remix)". They won $25,000, a performance at the 2011 NFL Super Bowl Gospel Celebration in Dallas, and a performance at the 2011 Stellar Awards in Nashville. During post-show interviews, choir director and pastor Michael Fisher shared a powerful testimony about how far they've come and what this win means to the members of the choir and their community. All of the choir members are between 18 and 31, and most have never travelled outside of Compton, CA. After their first flight ever, a tour of the White House earlier in the day, and a finale win… there was hardly a dry eye in the choir. Congratulations!

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Videos:

Winner: "Voices of Destiny" of Greater Zion Church Family (Compton, CA)
Runner-Up: "GFC Chorale" of Greater First Church (East Chicago, IL)
V CAST People's Choice Award: "Greater Mount Calvary Men of Valor" of Greater Mount Calvary Holy Church (Washington, DC)

Milton Bingham Concert

Benson Blake Photography — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 12:42:45 +0000

On April 19th, Milton Bingham directed the Petersburg GMWA Choir, during a performance at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Petersburg VA. Bingham conducted a workshop with the choir prior to the concert, where he taught them several of his songs. The VA Mass Choir also sang on the program, directed by Minister Earl Bynum. This was quite a treat for all who attended… and for everyone else, here are some photos from the event.

Ed Stephens introducing the VA Mass Choir

The Virginia Mass Choir

Milton Bingham directing the Petersburg GMWA Choir

VA Mass at Calvary Church

Benson Blake Photography — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 13:08:58 +0000

Last weekend, The Virginia Mass Choir performed at Calvary Seventh Day Adventist Church in Newport News VA. This concert was well attended by members of the community, who joined together in worship. The evening started out with a performance by a saxophonist, ending with a selection by the VA Mass Choir. Here are some of the highlights…

Ms. Jane singing “Holy Ghost”

Pastor Kinlock

New Harmonies, Hopewell

Benson Blake Photography — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 20:17:21 +0000

On April 12th, The Virginia Mass Choir performed in Hopewell VA as part of the grand opening for a Smithsonian exhibit. The New Harmonies Roots music exhibit will be in Hopewell from April 12th to May 24, 2008, along with a variety of weekly lectures and concerts. The musical performances for the grand opening were held outdoors, next to the Appomattox Regional Library. Thanks to everyone in Hopewell and surrounding areas for your contribution to this event. Here are some images from the VA Mass Choir’s appearance.

Charleston to Roanoke

Benson Blake Photography — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 12:22:19 +0000

On March 15-16, I traveled with the Virginia Mass Choir to First Baptist Church in Charleston WV, then to Pilgrim Baptist Church in Roanoke VA. The choir's weekend tour went VERY well… everything from a smooth and uneventful bus ride through the mountains, to a series of uplifting performances. Thanks to Randy and our driver Reggie at Distinguished Executive Transportation for a great job transporting the choir. Thanks to both churches for your hospitality, and the meals that were prepared for the choir.

VA Mass Choir concert in Charleston, West Virginia

Praise dancers at First Baptist Church's Sunday morning service

Sunday morning service in Charleston

CeCe Cotton singing at Pilgrim Baptist Church in Roanoke VA

Pastor Dwight Steele playing the organ

Texas Southern U. Concert

Benson Blake Photography — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 04:21:34 +0000

A week ago, I traveled to Houston TX to support a former choir director from my years at Tuskegee University. He’s now the director of the Texas Southern University Choir. On Sunday, their Black History Month Concert was successfully held at Houston’s Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church. Congratulations to the choir on one of their first big performances of the year! All of your rehearsals and hard work definitely paid off. Also, thanks to the A/V staff for video taping the concert (and for the chicken… lol).

Texas Southern University Choir in concert

Clyde Owen Jackson directing the TSU Choir

Wheeler Ave. Baptist Church, one of three standing room only Sunday services

Pastor Cosby preaching at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church

SCLC Tribute to MLK

Benson Blake Photography — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 13:25:22 +0000

On January 26th, the Southeast Community Day Planning Committee held a Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. banquet at the Holiday Inn in Hampton VA. Honored guests included presidents or representatives from Pomoco Auto, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Hampton NAACP, and Urban League of Hampton Roads just to name a few. Thanks to Andrew Shannon (SCLC) for coordinating this event and making sure everything ran smoothly. To the VA Mass Choir, I can’t wait for your CD to come out! As usual, you all did a GREAT job with your selections.

VA Mass Choir rehearsing before the event

Mark Rawlison (WXEZ 94.1) served as emcee for the banquet

Virginia Mass Choir performing

Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church

Benson Blake Photography — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 10:15:34 +0000

The Virginia Mass Choir closed out their engagements for 2007 with a “Gospel Explosion” concert on November 18th. The event was held in Williamsburg at Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church and included performances by the Anointed Morton Singers, VA Mass Choir, Out of the Box Mime, and others.

Out of the Box Mime

The Anointed Morton Singers

VA Mass Choir – Director, Earl Bynum

Virginia Mass Choir

Rev. James Cleveland Tribute

Benson Blake Photography — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 07:18:07 +0000

On Sunday, October 28th, the Virginia Mass Choir hosted a tribute concert to the late Rev. James Cleveland. This event took place at the First Pentecostal United Holy Church in Norfolk and is being re-broadcast online at streamingfaith.com. Edna Tatum and Al “The Bishop” Hobbs were honored for their contributions to the Gospel music industry.

Edna Tatum

Ed Stephens (right) presenting award to Al “The Bishop” Hobbs

Al “The Bishop” Hobbs

Edna Tatum introducing “Peace Be Still”

Virginia Mass Choir

VA Gospel Announcers’ Guild Anniversary 2007

Benson Blake Photography — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 18:25:26 +0000

The Virginia Gospel Announcers' Guild (VA-GAG) celebrated its anniversary over the weekend in Sandston, Virginia. Friday and Saturday nights were jam packed with spirit-filled performances by groups like the Petersburg GMWA chapter choir and Richmond's own God's Image. Special appearances were made by Bruce Parham and a surprise performance by Byron Cage.

Byron Cage

Hope Askew

Coco McMillan

Destiny Baptist Church in West Virginia

Benson Blake Photography — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 00:51:57 +0000

The Virginia Mass Choir performed last weekend at Destiny Baptist Church in Martinsburg, West Virginia. This was part of their community day, which included several other choirs from their area.

SCLC President’s Reception with Governor Kaine

Benson Blake Photography — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 23:13:05 +0000

On September 7th, The Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) kicked off their annual weekend of activities with a President’s Reception. The Mariner’s Museum in Newport News hosted the event with over 100 in attendance. Among the guests was Virginia’s governor Tim Kaine. The Virginia Mass Choir followed the governor’s speech with their upbeat musical selection “Give Him the Praise”.

Andrew Shannon gives the statement of occasion

Virginia Mass Choir

Benson posing for a photo with the Governor

GMWA Convention 2007

Benson Blake Photography — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 18:14:16 +0000

Last week was AMAZING! This was my first year attending the Gospel Music Workshop of America Convention… and will certainly not be the last. I was honored just to be in the same room with so many talented gospel artists, not to mention photograph them. I had the opportunity to photograph performances by The Caravans, Tramaine Hawkins, Craig Brothers and the VA Mass Choir to name a few.

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Georgia Mass Choir

The James Cleveland Singers

Traces

The Caravans