The Virginia Choral Ensemble of Richmond, Virginia will be in full concert at the Greater Bethesda Bible Way on Sunday, August 12, 2012, at 4 p.m. 459 Harding Street Petersburg, Virginia 23803.
History of The Virginia Choral Ensemble
With the musical heritage of the black people of America as a base of operation and desire to witness for God as a focal point, the VIRGINIA CHORAL ENSEMBLE had its beginning in 1947 at the home of the late Ruel Cowan, founder, first manager, and director of the group. At the time, a group of young ladies and a quartet of young men came together to sing of the goodness of the Lord. Weekly rehearsals were held in Mr. Cowan’s home and he served as manager and director of the Ensemble from 1947 until early 1950.
Mr. Cowan’s training and talent served to develop harmony in singing for the group. It was under his capable guidance that the VIRGINIA CHORAL ENSELBLE began rendering acapella selections “Sit Down Servant,” “Ole Man River,” and “I’m Going to Die with a Staff in my Hand.”
SAVOY, INCORPORATED recorded the ensemble’s first recording entitled “The Least” featuring Doris Ann Allen and “You’ve Truly Been Blesses,” featuring Roger Cox, who was Business Manager at the time succeeding Charles A. Wood Sr. STAX Recording Company recorded “If I Had My Wings” and I’ll Work For God” with Roger Cox and Zeola Heller as soloists, respectively.
The first cassette titled “ The Best of the Virginia Choral Ensemble” had songs recorded such as “The Twenty Third PSALM,” Alpha Audio, and “I Don’t Want NO Rocks to Praise My God For Me,” Major Recording Co.
The VIRGINIA CHORAL ENSEMBLE appeared in concert for five years as a part of the Fine Arts Festival at Virginia Commonwealth University and Virginia Union University.
In 1971, the Ensemble appeared in concert at the John F. Kennedy High School during its “Celebration of the Arts,” where the Honorable A. Linwood Holton, (Governor of Virginia) and School Superintendent, Lucien D. Adams were guests of honor. At the invitation of his Excellency, (The Governor of Virginia), the group rendered a program of music at the Annual Republican Governor’s Association Convention in Williamsburg, Virginia.
Our former directress, the late Ms. Doris Ann Allen, who was gifted and talented, wrote “I Work For God” for us. We recorded this selection on STAX Records. This was one of our first recordings and it featured Zeola Baldwin Heller, lead vocalist. Through the years this has been our motto:
We work for God, and He takes care of us.
We work for God, and He supplies all our needs.
Though things don’t always go our way.
We know whatever is right, He’ll pay.
And we don’t worry - NO, NO!
BECAUSE WE WORK FOR GOD!
In addition to being better than blessed, we were honored with two very special forms of recognition. The Virginia Historical Society inducted our music into the archives of the State of Virginia. Secondly, but not least important, was the Award of Excellence for the Most Outstanding Traditional Group in the State of Virginia bestowed upon us by the Gospel Music Workshop of America, Richmond, Chapter.
……THE VIRGINIA CHORAL ENSEMBLE
