Spring-breaking into song

      The energetic, evocative sounds of singers from 17 historically black colleges broke the spring break stillness Monday at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
      More than 500 students left behind their campuses in states as far away as South Carolina and Maryland to participate in Las Vegas' first Vocal Extravaganza in Black.
      The choirs and soloists are engaged in a friendly competition that has turned listeners into winners. After Morgan State University's concert choir sang the final notes of "Elijah Rock," audience members jumped to their feet and filled the auditorium with applause.
      "You did a beautiful job," choir director Nathan Carter privately told his students afterward. "I'm very pleased. You know, it sounded good."
      Carter, a legend in an auditorium filled with talent, said it's a rare treat when college choirs come together for festivals.
      "Too bad we all can't win," said Carter, who's in his 25th year as Morgan State's choir director. "That's the downside. The upside is it's a delight to have all these choirs come together to share and hear each other's music. This is our spring fling in an educational way."
      Gordon Webb and Cynthia Hardy, both music education students at the Baltimore college, said they have enjoyed meeting students brought together by the event.
      The festival continues today and Wednesday on campus, with evening concerts planned. Choirs and soloists sing traditional gospel, spiritual and folk; classical opera, operetta and oratorio; and contemporary jazz, theatrical and blues.
      Webb and Hardy said Morgan State's choir spends more time singing with world-class orchestras than performing side by side with students from other historically black colleges.
      "When we come together, you feel encouragement from others," Hardy said.
      But it's work, too. "We strive for excellence, and Dr. Carter will take nothing less," she said.
      "Every performance we do takes us to another level, and we hope it does the same for our audience," Webb said. "The music energizes us."
      Dressed in fancy red dresses were members of South Carolina State University's concert choir.
      "We're giving it our all," said April Wright, an alto in the university's concert choir. "We're really putting ourselves into it."
      Fellow alto Tamar Ross said those expecting to hear only traditional gospel will be pleasantly surprised by a "beautiful variety" of music.
      "Each choir has its own unique sound combination," Ross said.
      LiMia Bowen added, "This is a great experience for everybody, whether you're singing or listening. Come listen, and you will not be disappointed."
      Tickets for today's semifinals performance, which begins at 6 p.m., and Wednesday's finals performance at 7:30 p.m. are available at UNLV's box office. Tickets for today's show are $10 and tickets for the Wednesday show are $15 to $25.
      Wednesday's concert will include performances by finalists in three categories as well as a finale by a 150-member choir with Ruth Brown and Joe Williams. An appearance by the nationally known group After 7 also has been scheduled.
      More information is available by calling KCEP-88.1 FM at 648-0104 or UNLV's box office at 895-3801.