Dana Hall School choral director David Coleman was awarded the Thomas A. Dorsey Gospel Music Award by the New England Conservatory at their annual Gospel Jubilee Concert on August 5.

In addition to being the choral director at Dana Hall, Coleman currently directs his own gospel ensemble, Confirmation, which has already recorded three CDs. Confirmation has sang for the Democratic National Committee and worked as workshop leaders for the New England Patriots.

Coleman also performs and ministers all over New England in schools, churches, homeless and veteran shelters and prisons. He is a member of the Tufts University faculty and the director of their 175 voice gospel choir. He leads workshops in gospel music for the American Choral Directors Association and for the NAIS People of Color Conference.

The Thomas A. Dorsey Gospel Music Award is given to individuals with at least 10 years of experience in New England as church musicians, composers, directors of their own group, workshop/presentation leaders relating to gospel music and gospel music educators. Award recipients must have recognizable accomplishments, affiliations with national or international music organizations and a commitment to gospel music.

Coleman's multiple projects and active involvement in the gospel community made him the perfect candidate.

"The members of the selection committee are none other than the past recipients themselves," Coleman explained, "so it is competitive and an honor to be selected by your peers in the field."