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The Big Sandy Singers is the elite, auditioned, student singing ensemble from Big Sandy Community and Technical College. The group is comprised of talented students from our Prestonsburg, Pikeville, Mayo and Hager Hill campuses. Those students who are chosen from the audition process receive a $1,200.00 music scholarship to attend BSCTC as well as performance and recording experience in the Big Sandy Productions Studio on the Prestonsburg Campus.

The Big Sandy Singers are directed by BSCTC Instructor and 14 year veteran Kentucky Opry member Laura Ford Hall, with Assistant Director Clayton Case and Timothy Cooley - album producer and technical director. In the 2005-2006 year, the Singers performed 53 concerts for various civic functions, elementary and high schools. They also perform three to four concerts a year on their home stage at Gearheart Auditorium on the Prestonsburg campus. The Singers have performed several times on WYMT, at the Eastern Kentucky Exposition Center, and the Mountain Arts Center as well as many other venues. The group also takes shows into area high schools and elementary schools, presenting a "go to college" and "drug free" message. The students who sing in the Big Sandy Singers serve as ambassadors for the college.

In addition to live performances, the Big Sandy Singers also record a group compilation CD each year. This year, the Singers' debut album "Down to the River to Pray" was released on March 21st and has sold nearly 1,000 copies locally. The singers are now in the studio recording their second album, due to be released in October 2006. Five of the Big Sandy Singers also have solo albums available: Laura Ford Hall, Brandon Maynard, Frances Branham, Susan Scott and Troy Burchett.

"The success of the Big Sandy Singers has truly been amazing," Hall said. "We are so blessed to have such talented students and a wonderful institution. We are so thankful to President Edwards for all he has done for us as well as our Provost Dr. Nancy Johnson and the BSCTC Faculty and Staff."

If you are interested in booking the Big Sandy Singers performance, see how you can Schedule a Performance.