Vocalists were in abundance in Connecticut’s capital city last week as the Eastern Division of the American Choral Directors Association met in Hartford for its annual convention.
But among the choruses making melodious music at the convention, few could claim a more expressive, more genuine sound than Joyful Noise, a group of singers with developmental disabilities led by University of Illinois music student Allison Fromm. The group is based in Cherry Hill, N.J.
Congratulations to the winners of the 2008 Independent Music Awards. The winners in the album categories are Drew Pilgrim (Folk/Singer-Songwriter); Hannah Blaylock & Eden’s Edge (Americana); Koko Taylor (Blues); The Minister John Butler (Gospel); Jaime Cuadra (World Fusion); and Alasdair White (World Traditional). The song category winners include Tannis Slimmon (Folk/Singer-Songwriter); Boulder Acoustic Society (Americana); Little Miss Higgins (Blues); Robbin Thompson (Gospel); Luca Mundaca (World Fusion); and Lionel Loueke (World Traditional). The “Sing Out for Social Action” Award was won by Kenny White. For a full list of winners, go to www.independentmusicawards.com.
