Southern University Gospel Choir advances to historic Stellar Awards finale
The Southern University Gospel Choir has been named one of five finalists for the inaugural HBCU Choir of the Year award at the 41st Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards
BATON ROUGE, La. — The Southern University Gospel Choir has moved from nominee to finalist in a new chapter of the Stellar Gospel Music Awards, earning a place among the final five contenders for the inaugural HBCU Choir of the Year award.
The recognition gives Southern University a prominent place in the first year of a category created specifically to honor gospel choirs representing historically Black colleges and universities.
The Stellar Awards established the category for the 2026 awards cycle. Its official eligibility rules say the award recognizes artistic excellence, leadership and impact in gospel music by choirs and choral ensembles representing accredited HBCUs. Eligible performances were required to fall within the March 1, 2025, through Feb. 28, 2026, eligibility period.
Southern University announced the nomination in May, calling it a historic achievement for the university and its Gospel Choir. Choir Director Ernest Bowman said the recognition reflects the students' work, consistency, ministry and excellence.
The choir's nominated performance is “Call His Name,” led by Cameron Blain. The performance was recorded by Sir' Jerry Saddler and Sound of Pentecost, according to WAFB.
Southern subsequently advanced to the final five following the first round of public voting, which ended June 1.
The significance of the nomination extends beyond Southern's Baton Rouge campus. The new category gives HBCU gospel choirs a dedicated national award within an established gospel music awards program.
The Stellar Awards' official rules describe the new honor as a competition based on vocal artistry, musicianship, technique, ensemble cohesion, direction and presentation. The winner will be presented the award through the choir's music director on behalf of the ensemble and its HBCU.
For Southern University, that means its Gospel Choir will be represented when the 41st Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards are held Aug. 15 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. Kirk Franklin is scheduled to host the ceremony.
The award is part of a larger Stellar Awards program that will recognize artists across gospel music. The 2026 ceremony also will feature performances from artists including John P. Kee, Jekalyn Carr, Kierra Sheard, Le'Andria Johnson, PJ Morton, Tye Tribbett featuring ABLAZE and Vincent Bohanan & SOV.
For Southern University and Baton Rouge, the Aug. 15 ceremony represents an opportunity to see a local HBCU's gospel choir compete for an award that did not exist before this year's Stellar Awards.
Whatever the final result, Southern has already secured its place in the inaugural competition for HBCU Choir of the Year.
And on Aug. 15, the winner will be announced on the same national stage where the Stellar Awards will celebrate some of gospel music's most established artists and emerging voices.
Southern University will be there as one of the five finalists — representing Baton Rouge in a category making its debut in the Stellar Awards.
