The award-winning gospel choir at De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) has become the first group to perform live at an illustrious music awards ceremony.
The group have been in high demand after being named overall winners at the University Gospel Choir of the Year awards earlier this year.
Now their unique sound and style has made them the first choice for the producers at the Premier Gospel Awards – the first event held to celebrate the best in UK gospel music.
Sister Ellah Kandi, DMU Gospel Choir co-ordinator, said that it was an exciting time for the choir.
She said: “This was the first year the awards had been held so to be asked to perform at the debut show was an honour.
“We were the backing choir for a performance by Best Newcomer award-winner J Vessel and it was a very special night.”
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The year has started strongly for the DMU group, which regularly wows audiences at university events like open days and graduations. Although she could not go into details just yet, Ellah said the choir’s success had led to some TV work.
She said: “We can’t say too much about it but there should be some exciting things in the year ahead.”
Last year the group made it to the final of the BBC Songs of Praise Gospel Choir of the Year awards, but missed out on the overall title. However, the exposure led to a performance on BBC One’s The One Show to an audience of millions and praise from programme guest Stephen Fry.
They also performed live on BBC Radio Leicester recently, singing unique versions of Leicester City football chants, to show their support for the Foxes’ bid for the Premier League title.
Ellah said: “We’ll be going again for the Songs of Praise competition this year, which should be good. And we’re really just enjoying bringing a different kind of sound to the university.
“There’s a real rise in interest for gospel music and it’s exciting to be part of that.”
Posted on Monday 2 May 2016