Performance Free and Open to the Public Saturday, April 21

(COLUMBIA, Tenn. - April 12, 2012) - - - Newly organized Columbia State Community College student organization, In His Presence gospel chorus is set for its debut performance on Saturday, April 21 at 4 p.m. in the Ledbetter Auditorium located in the Frank G. Clement building on the Columbia campus. The event is free and open to the public with limited seating available. There to join in the choir performance is Grammy nominated gospel artist, the Rev. Lawrence Thomison.

In His Presence formed in the fall of 2011 as an effort to focus attention and celebrate the heritage of African-American gospel music.

"I felt it was important to start In His Presence because there was a need to edify and spiritualize those who are in need of guidance," founding student member Marcel Fleming said.

Other interested students joined the choir over the course of the school year, and the organization was approved as a recognized student group, including student choir members.

Choir members include Tiara Hughes, SeQuena Snipes, Demetrius Baker, Fantara Carter, Alex Collier, Precious Hampton, Derriance Hughes, Lakresha Lee and Ashton Wilson. Other participating members include Orlandus Richardson, Julia Duke, Naya Pigg and Krystal English. The group has two Columbia State Community College sponsors Yolanda Neal and Freda Leslie Pillow.

"God and Music are the most important things in my life, and I wanted to fuse them together with my college experience," Fleming said. "I want to share that with my peers and the community, and we hope that they will come to the concert on April 21 to enjoy the music of the Rev. Thomison and our other special guests."

Other participating musical guests include the Mt. Pleasant Mass Choir, Temple of Praise, Booker Ridge Original Church of God Praise Team, and the Anointed Sisters Dance Ministry, featuring Diondra Booker and Diamond Davis.

Columbia State is a two-year college, serving a nine-county area in southern Middle Tennessee with locations in Columbia, Franklin, Lawrenceburg, Lewisburg and Clifton. As Tennessee's first community college, Columbia State is committed to increasing access and enhancing diversity at all five campuses. Columbia State is a member of the Tennessee Board of Regents, the sixth largest higher education system in the nation. For more information, please visit www.columbiastate.edu.

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