First stop UH City Hall: next stop U.S. Capitol for Wiley Challenge Choir

University Heights celebrated Black History Month in council chambers on Feb. 16 with a musical presentation by the Wiley Middle School Challenge Choir, and an address by Rev. Marvin A. McMickle, pastor of Antioch Baptist Church. Before making its trek to perform at the Capitol this spring, the choir performed for Mayor Susan Infeld, members of the University Heights city council and residents. 

More than 30 voices sang "Lift Every Voice and Sing" followed by "Total Praise" a composition by African-American composer Richard Smallwood.

This May, the choir will spend four days in the nation’s capital on a music competition tour. Last year, the choir competed in the Midwestern region and was awarded 1st and 2nd place in the categories of gospel and show choir respectively. The choir also secured a 1st place soloist ranking.

Reflecting the name of the group, the choir is now challenged to achieve another goal–placing in the Eastern region and winning a national ranking, a feat the choir accomplished six years ago.   

Under the direction of Maestro Glenn Brackens, this audition-only choir has performed at the Apollo Theater in New York City, Cleveland’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Channel 3’s "Good Morning America" and the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church, home of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in Atlanta, Georgia. This year’s visit to Washington, D.C. will mark the second time the choir will perform as the guests of Congress, the first being with the late Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs-Jones.

Wiley Middle School Challenge Choir’s mission is to embrace and empower youth through music education and to enhance the knowledge base of students who wish to achieve success through music. The choir is raising funds to transport the group and its musicians to this year’s competition. 

Those wishing to make donations can do so at any Key Bank location. For more information, contact Andrea Davis at 216-588.1378 or e-mail her at addavis21@aol.com.

Anita Kazarian, a University Heights resident, is a frequent Observer contributor who ran for city council. She may be reached at AnitaKazarian@gmail.com. Andrea Davis is vice-president of the Wiley Challenge Choir parent support group.