About
AAGC
The Original 12 Members:
Cherry Bennett, Patricia Crawford, Bernadette Davis, Diana Glover, Henrietta Thomas Horton, Velma Jones,
Merlene Jemison, Merceria Ludgood, Sam (Earl) Matthews, Deborah McKinstry, Pat Perkins, Andre Taylor
In the summer of 1971, a group of 12 hopeful black students from the University of Alabama decided to enter a talent show that—at the time—was sponsored by the Afro-American Association. These students decided that they wanted to sing a gospel song representative of their Christian faith. This first performance, on August 4, 1971, was history in the making for the organization known today as the Afro-American Gospel Choir. By the fall of 1971, over 40 students came together in unity with the original 12 to form the University of Alabama’s very own AAGC.
Although these gifted choir members had more than enough talent to offer, they wouldn’t have been the same without the very first AAGC choir directors. The choir was first directed by Patricia Crawford of Birmingham, AL. The musicians were Velma Jones (pianist) of Marion, AL, and James Pruitt (organist) of Birmingham, AL. During their first year, the choir rendered and received a multitude of blessings from concerts in various cities such as Birmingham, Greensboro, Fort Deposit, Mobile, Tuskegee, as well as their hometown area of Northport and Tuscaloosa.
In the summer of 1972, the first-anniversary celebration took place at the St. Peter A.M.E. Church, where Rev. Hendrix was the Pastor. As the choir marched in singing “Step to Jesus,” they set a precedent for years to come. Songs such as “Joy comes in the Morning,” “Fill My Cup,” “The Blood,” and “The Time is now to live For Jesus,” all continued to set the tone for the University’s gospel choir to go “sweeping through the city,” as Greg Clarke would sing in the lead of this familiar gospel song. Other soloists such as Merlene Jemison, George Walker, and Brenda Massey kept the spirit alive in this first-anniversary celebration.
From that point on, the Choir has had a powerful presence on The University of Alabama’s campus and anywhere else it has been. The choir has traveled throughout the southeastern United States spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ through song. “The Family,” as they are known, has gone through many trials and tribulations over the years, yet, when it is all said and done, AAGC can always rejoice knowing that its faith in God has brought them through once again.
The choir has always been one that would fellowship among themselves as well as with their fellow students, audience members, and supporters. Since the start, the choir has kept up its fellowship with many other collegiate choirs such those at Miles College, Alabama A&M University, Montevallo University, University of Alabama at Birmingham, University of North Alabama, University of South Alabama, Shelton State Community College, Stillman College, Auburn University and Tuskegee University. This choir was founded upon the principles of togetherness, friendship, and devotion which has allowed success in many endeavors.
Our Accolades & Accomplishments
~ AAGC & H.I.P ~
1976 - Recorded our first album “We’re determined to Give Ourselves to Jesus”
1976 - 1st place Choir Fellowship competition National B.S.U. Retreat--Alabama State University
1978 - 1st place Six Flags over Georgia Choral Festival
1979 - Recorded 45 rpm “Comfort Me”
1978 - 1st place Tuscaloosa’s Gospel Choir Competition
1980 - Spring break trip to Columbus and Springfield, OH
1982 - Spring break trip to New Orleans, LA and Mobile, AL
1982 - Recorded second album “New In Christ”
1983 - 1st place Choir Fellowship competition National B.S.U. Retreat
1984 - 1st place Choir Fellowship competition National B.S.U. Retreat
1985 - 3rd place Choir Fellowship competition National B.S.U. Retreat
1990 - 2nd place Choir Fellowship competition National B.S.U. Retreat
1993 - Recorded “Salute to the Trinity” with Church of the Firstborn Ministries
1995 - Spring Semester trip to Fort Walton Beach, FL
1996 - Celebrated 25th Anniversary
1999 - 3rd place in large division Choir Fellowship competition National B.S.U. Retreat, Houston, TX
2000 - 2nd place in medium division Choir Fellowship competition National B.S.U. Retreat, Atlanta, GA
2001 - Tied 1st place in large division Choir Fellowship competition National B.S.U. Retreat, Norfolk, VA
2001 - Celebrated 30th Anniversary
2004 - 2nd place large division Choir Fellowship competition National BSU Retreat, Houston, TX
2005 - 2nd place medium division Choir Fellowship competition National BSU Retreat, Atlanta, GA
2006 - Tied 1st place large division Choir Fellowship Competition National BSU Retreat, Atlanta, GA
2006 - Celebrated 35th Anniversary
2007 - 2nd Place in large division National BSU Retreat, Charlotte, NC
2008 - 1st Place in large division Choir Fellowship Competition National BSU Retreat, Dallas, TX
2008 - Praise Dance Competition 2nd place at National BSU Retreat, Dallas, TX
2009 - 2nd Place large Division Choir Fellowship Competition National BSU Retreat, Memphis, TN
2009 - Praise Dance Competition 2nd place large division, Memphis, TN
2009 - Most attendees at the National BSU Retreat
2010 - Praise Dance Competition 1st place medium division, Atlanta, GA
2010 - 1st place large division Choir Fellowship Competition National BSU Retreat, Atlanta, GA
2010 - Most attendees at the National BSU Retreat, Atlanta, GA
2011 - 1st place in medium division Choir Fellowship Competition National BSU Retreat, Atlanta Georgia
2011 - Praise Dance Competition 1st place at National BSU Retreat, Atlanta, Georgia
2012 - 1st place medium division Choir Fellowship Competition National BSU Retreat, Little Rock, AR
2012 - 2nd place large division Praise Dance Competition National BSU Retreat, Little Rock, Arkansas
2014 - 1st place praise dance competition National BSU Retreat
2014 - scholarship recipient
2015 - 1st place large division Choir Fellowship Competition National BSU Retreat, Atlanta, GA
2015 - 2nd place large division Praise Dance Competition National BSU Retreat, Atlanta, GA
2015 - Perfect attendance award for National BSU Retreat events, Atlanta, GA
2016 - 1st place Praise Dance Competition National BSU Retreat, Shreveport, LA
2017 - 2nd place large division Choir Fellowship Competition National BSU Retreat, Houston, TX
2017 - 1st place large division Praise Dance Competition National BSU Retreat, Houston, TX
2019 - 3rd place Praise Dance Competition National BSU Retreat, Houston, TX
2019 - 1st place medium division Choir Competition National BSU Retreat, Houston, TX