EUGENE, Ore. -- (Sept. 30, 2011) -- The University of Oregon Gospel Singers gained national recognition after winning back-to-back national titles at the Disney National Gospel Choir Fest in early September.

The Oregon Gospel singers, made up of students, alumni and community members, competed for their second title at Epcot Theme Park in Orlando, Fla., on Sept. 7-8.

Influential members of the Gospel community were selected to judge the groups based on appearance, musicality, blend and showmanship. The UO Gospel singers qualified for the final round of competition and defeated Lee University Evangelistic Singers from Cleveland, Tenn., and Jackie Smith & Youth Development Ministry from Houston, Texas, after a 15-minute performance in a winner-take-all round.

"For the Gospel Singers, it solidifies us as a group of people who know how to do it well," said Andiel Brown, who has been the director of Gospel Choirs & Ensembles for four years. "Gospel singing is typically dominated by the South. To win two times means the University of Oregon has a terrific program committed to excellence."

The winning team received an opportunity to perform in front of 3,500 fans at the Night of Joy at Disney World's Magic Kingdom the same evening. Grammy-winning Gospel singer Smokie Norful introduced the winners and praised their singing ability.

"Smokie Norful flew in just to announce us," Brown said. "To know that in little old Eugene we are doing things grand enough, and our purpose is being reached, lets us know we are on the right path."

The UO Gospel program operates year-round at the University of Oregon School of Music and Dance, with classes held in the fall and practices held in the summer.

The UO Gospel Ensembles next performance is 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6, in Beall Concert Hall.

About the University of Oregon
The University of Oregon is among the 108 institutions chosen from 4,633 U.S. universities for top-tier designation of "Very High Research Activity" in the 2010 Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. The UO also is one of two Pacific Northwest members of the Association of American Universities.

MEDIA CONTACT: Joe Mosley, UO media relations, 541-346-3606, jmosley@uoregon.edu

SOURCE: Andiel Brown, director of UO Gospel Choirs & Ensembles, abrown10@uoregon.edu

-- written by Rachel Starr, UO media relations student intern