Newspapers / Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.) / June 2, 1994, edition 1 / Page 7
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Winston-S alem S tate Spccial to the Chronicle One semester hour of credit for "five, 50-minute classes each week may not seem like much of a payoff, but to members of the Winston Salem State University Choir the. other rewards are well worth it, says' D'Walla Simmons Burke, the ? choir's director. That includes being recognized by Chancellor Cleon F. Thompson Jr. as "Ambassadors of Excellence." "These 30 young people give ~ up a lot to be in the choir," Thomp ; son said. "While most of our stu dents are enjoying spring break, the choir is on the road, traveling by bus along the east coast, to promote WSSU. Music has a way of touch ing people and, believe me, when you listen to our choir you've been touched ? inspired, actually." This spring, Burke and the entourage performed in Newark, Montclair and East Orange in New Jersey; Brooklyn, N.Y.; Washing ton, D.C.; Richmond and Danville, Va.; and in Charlotte and Hender son. The tour always ends with a concert on campus ."The choir alstL presents an annual Christmas con cert, a popular attraction. "The choir is an excellent v * ? ?- ? * recruiter," says Burke. "We always try to include performances at high Local Woman Recognized for Service With Youths Gaynell Walters of Winston Salem has been awarded a Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential in- recognition of out standing work with young children. The credential^va^-awarded by the Council for Early Childhood Pro fessional Recognition in Washing ton, D.C., which represents the early childhood profession. CDA is the only major national effort to improve child care by evaluating and recognizing the skills of individuals providing care. The first credential was awarded 20 years ago, and now 46 states plus the District of Columbia include CDA in their child care licensing regulations. Parents who use child carfare especially concerned today 'about their children's welfare. With this in mind, as part of the CDA assess ment process, every candidate for the CDA credential is observed working with young children by an early childhood professional. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the ability to work with families to develop children's physical and intellectual capabili ties in a safe and healthy learning environment. The CDA credential is having a positive effect on the quality of child care. Its impact is evident in center- based care as well as family child care, the most common form of care for children under 5 years old. Child care staff and parents wanting information on CDA should write the Council for Early Childhood Professional Recogni tion at 1341 G. Street NW. Suite 400, Washington, D C. 20005 3105. Or call (202) 265-9090 or 1 800-424-4310. * Gaynell Walters schools ? nuni -concerts. This year, we had two or three in each crty we visited. We also reserve -time after the concert to talk to potential stu * dents." The choir has been able to attract top-flight students over, the *' last year through a new scholarship program that provides up to full tuition, on a renewable basis. "It has reaUv worked." Burke ?r ' ? ' A savs. "1 can be a little more particu lar in the type and caliber of stu dents we're looking for. We not only- gel talented/ students, but we also get scholars." "Choir members are told right - up front that the main reason for attending W inston- Salem State is -to get their degrees." she adds. Even without the draw of schol arships, the tht>?r has successfully competed and performed with some of the best choirs in t he country. In 1991, WSSU won the,. African- ' American Negro Spiritual Festival in Cincinnati, picking up' a trophy and SI. 000 bv edging out choirs from Tennessee State. South Car olina State and Florida A&M Uni -_yersity. ? : And last spring, the chiiir was invited to perform at the National American Black Musician Caucus in Nashville. ? I % The director herself was hon ored. also last spring, by her alma mater. Hampton University, as an outstanding musician. In a perfor mance that evening. Burke con ducted both the WSSU and Hamp ton choirs. Atjer receiving an undergradu ate degree from Hampton in 1983, Burke earned a master's degree in choral conducting at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She is now working on a doctorate in higher education administration at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Burke joined the WSSU faculty in 1989, coming from Voorhees's College in Demark, S.C., where she was an assistant professor of music and director of choirs for three years. While there, Voorhees's choir was invited to sing for Pope John Paul II Jbring his visit to the Uni versity of South Carolina in Colum bia. "We were one of two African American choirs to be invited," says Burke, who has shaken hands with the Pope. "Only seven of our choir mem bers here are music majors," she adds. "They sing for sheer joy <>f singing." ? ? ? " ? . ? " I -1^ I f) W alia Simmons Burke (r) and choir members each display certificates from the chancellor recognizing t^em as "Ambassadors of Excellence." All children's character beachwear! Choose from a wide selection that your kid's will love. Great for summer days at the beach or pool^Reg^5JJ9 Women's shield thongs Hot new style that looks great with casual wear. Features an adjustable back strap for a more comfortable fit. Choice of white, black or gold fashion colors. Reg^6^99 Men's casual canvas slip-ons! Perfect for those leisurely days. Feature a padded insole on a non-skid rubber sole. Choice of white or navy. Reg. 6.99j Regular Price;. May Vary in Somo Stoios Duo T Local Competition Kmart Corporation
Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.)
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June 2, 1994, edition 1
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