By: Ginny Washbish

 

A choir that once changed the lives of young individuals has now changed the rules of becoming a member. In the past, members of the Black Diamond Choir (BDC) consisted of U of L students, alumni and students of local universities. Now members must be students at U of L.

Formed in 1969, the student ran gospel choir has performed concerts across Kentucky, Indiana, Tennessee, Ohio and Maryland. Talent from all over would gather together with a shared interest in gospel music. Participation by non-U of L students gave this choir a unique flare.

Shantoya Richardson, former U of L student and past member of the BDC, said, “(The BDC) became a familiar place and a safe place. It was like an oxygen supply that I needed to survive, even after I had left U of L due to personal health reasons. I had grown so much; I was seeking God more than ever and when things got hard, BDC was my breath of fresh air. When the rules changed, someone took my vital necessity of life away; my air.”

It seems that unknown issues have occurred in the past with the BDC. Reports that a wish list submitted last semester by previous students encouraged the new membership restrictions.

Aleace Courtney was a member of the BDC for several semesters, often describing the choir as her “family.” Unfortunately, her dedication to the group will be disregarded due to the new restrictions; she is a senior at Spalding University.

“The focus of being an RSO will not fix issues that evolved during spring semester of 2013. If a change needs to take place it needs to be that leadership positions are picked by the student body. I think upper classmen should hold these titles, only because incoming students don’t know the history or foundation of how the BDC is ran. This fall semester (the BDC) is running on wicked intentions to gain the “I DID THIS AWARD,” said Courtney.

According to Tierney Bates, director of the Cultural Center, the membership requirements have always been in place. Bates states, “The BDC choir is a class and RSO…how are you allowed to do that if you’re not a U of L student?”

According to Bates, the BDC has never been open to non-U of L students.

Photo Courtesy of Google Images