Soweto Gospel Choir headlines Lied's world music lineup March 25

            One of the most exciting groups to emerge in world music, the two-time Grammy and Emmy Award-winning Soweto Gospel Choir, returns to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Lied Center for Performing Arts on March 25. The audience will again experience traditional African music performed by this internationally celebrated choir during a performance beginning at 7:30 p.m.

            "Soweto Gospel Choir last performed at the Lied Center in 2008," said Bill Stephan, executive director of the Lied Center. "I still receive feedback from Lied patrons who attended that show, saying it was one of the most inspiring and uplifting performances of their lives."

            Since its formation more than 12 years ago in Soweto, South Africa, the choir has achieved incredible success, recording five albums and garnering recognition and critical acclaim in South Africa, the United States, Australia and everywhere in between. Worldwide tours have taken them to dozens of the most distinguished performing arts venues in the world, including Carnegie Hall, the Sydney Opera House, Nelson Mandela Theatre and Royal Festival Hall in London.

            The choir's amazing journey began in December 2002 with the recording of its first album, "Voices of Heaven." Within just three weeks of its release in the United States, the album reached the No. 1 spot on Billboard's World Music Chart and by 2003 Soweto won the praises and recognition of some of the most well-respected institutions in the music industry -- two American Gospel Music Awards for Best Choir and Best International Choir and the Helpmann Award for Best Contemporary Music Concert in Australia.

            This presentation is made possible in part with support from Friends of Lied Legends as well as Patron Friend sponsors Chris and Kelley Baker.

            Tickets, starting at $28 for adults and $14 for students, are available at http://www.liedcenter.org, at the Lied Center Box Office, 301 N. 12th St., or by phone at 402-472-4747.

Writer: Carrie Christensen, Lied Center