Raise Your Voice: UGA choir brings music and community in harmony

Gregory Broughton (far left), George Miller, III and Pastor Nawanna Lewis Miller, along with current and former AACE singers, including Subrena Clark (center) following the AACE concert on Monday, November 25, 2024.

Gregory Broughton, associate professor of voice for the Hugh Hodgson School of Music (HHSOM) and conductor of the African American Choral Ensemble (AACE,  never misses a moment to celebrate and lift up the people around him. Upon seeing the original founder of AACE (formerly Pamoja Singers) in the crowd of their November 25 concert, he invited Pastor Nawanna Lewis Miller to join him on stage.

Broughton was surprised to find that Miller was already equipped with her own microphone. “Well, I know I didn’t give her that,” said Broughton. 

Pastor Miller proceeded to share with the audience the story of founding Pamoja Singers in 1970 and how proud she was of Broughton for his work with the choir. Miller was joined by the President of Pamoja Connections Inc. Subrena Clark (BA ‘92 Speech Communications). Together, Miller and Clark presented Broughton with the Founder’s Award which read “Thank you for 35 Years of Divine Excellence.”

The crowd joined in a standing ovation for Broughton, a crowd that included several alumni of the choir. After the concert concluded, those alums joined Broughton, Clark, Miller and her husband George Miller, III for a group photo.

Clark, along with Jackie Wright (BA ‘82 Drama, BA ‘84 Journalism) coordinated with the HHSOM staff to plan the presentation for Broughton. Along the way, Clark took time to share why AACE and Broughton were so important to them, and to the experience of hundreds of UGA students and alumni.

“It was important to participate in AACE because of my love for African American historical and inspirational music,” said Clark. “However, it expanded my knowledge of writers and music theory while expanding relationships with other students with whom I still remain in contact.  The connection through Dr. Broughton and AACE is a living treasure for me and others.” 

Clark’s sentiments are shared by Daniel Bara, interim director of HHSOM. “Gregory Broughton is a treasure! He is an irreplaceable member of our voice faculty, having nurtured generations of vocal artists. His leadership of AACE has been a source of inspiration, belonging, pride, and artistry for so many people for so many years! He is truly beloved by our school and community, and is so deserving of this recognition.”

“I was shocked and surprised to have been recognized as a recipient of the founder’s award,” said Broughton, adding that “I believe that the founder wanted to show her appreciation for the work I have done to sustain the group which was her brainchild. She has remarked over the years that she has been very pleased to see that the group has been sustained.

“In addition to cultivating a space where African American students can have a choral performance outlet and a safe space for fellowship, I have endeavored to have as our top priority the performance of choral works composed or arranged by African American composers. Through these works we explore many aspects of African American culture that otherwise would be left out of the UGA experience. The fact that I get to interact with the participants in AACE means I get to work with some of the most talented students on the campus who may or may not be a music major. From my earliest days on the campus, there were very few music majors in the group. The number of African American music majors has increased tremendously so I now have more in AACE even to the point of consistently having graduate music majors,” said Broughton. 

Clark agrees with Broughton. “I wish everyone knew that they can become a student in the AACE class. It is not just about music but it teaches, inspires, and encourages students on how to expand personal growth,  to work through life challenges and life opportunities. Being in AACE helped build relationships, improved my listening abilities, and expanded my creativity beyond music and the arts.  AACE did that for me and so many others.”

Though proud of this achievement, Broughton always brings the story back to the students. “My students know beyond a shadow of all doubt that first and foremost, I indeed do care about them to the point of nurturing and loving them into their future successes.”