His Chosen Sounds held its annual Thanksgiving concert Saturday, Nov. 19 in Ogden Hall. The concert
featured performances from HU's gospel choir, university choir, and concert choir and paid tribute to the
late Royzell Dillard, former director of University choirs.
Students celebrated the life and legacy of Dillard in an emotional program that featured song selections
and testimonials, and performed in traditional "Dillard style" that current students and alumni could relate to.
Choir members let their emotions and vocal ability blend together in perfect harmony to deliver a powerful
performance.
Dillard touched many lives. Many Hamptonians served under him as members of the University Choir,
University Concert Choir, the University Gospel Choir: His Chosen Sounds and The Vocal Jazz Ensemble:
JZAZZ. Dillard was also the national choir director for the 105 Voices of History, an Historically Black
Colleges and University national initiative managed by Partners Achieving Success, an organization created to
promote diversity in America's national venues and to link students' skills across industries. He worked with
and training over 450 students from HBCUs for their participation in the national choir.
A musical genius, Dillard published articles and music as well as presented at numerous conferences and
workshops both nationally and internationally. Named to the Who’s Who in Colleges and Universities,
Dillard has several noteworthy performing credits including Porgy and Bess, Messiah, A’int Misbehavin’,
and Five Guys Name Moe. One of the highlights of his career was his performances for former U.S.
Presidents William J. Clinton and George W. Bush, as well as current President Barack H. Obama.
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