Posted on September 12, 2002 at 3:18 p.m.

BIRMINGHAM, AL — Six members of the UAB Gospel Choir are among 13 finalists selected to compete October 5 at “Amateur Night at the Apollo” at the Alys Stephens Center, choir director Kevin Turner announced this week.

Judges from the legendary Apollo Theatre in New York picked the finalists from more than 200 contestants Saturday. The 13 finalists will compete October 5, and the winner that night receives a $1,000 cash prize, plane tickets to New York and a chance to compete live on the Apollo stage.

The Gospel Choir members are singer Melissa Sanders, 23, accompanied by UAB music major Arthur Beard, and the group A Capella Praise, with members Lynduel Rose, 19, Essience Foster, 21, Tonya Molette, 24, Tina Molette, 24, and Jillian Gray, 22. A Capella Praise won the 2002 UAB Talent Contest recently.

Sanders sang “Oh the Glory,” while A Capella Praise performed “Blessed Assurance.”

UAB Gospel Choir director Kevin Turner coached Stephanie Jones, a two-year gospel choir member, when she competed in “Amateur Night at the Apollo” auditions last year. Jones went on to win several divisions in the competition, as did former UAB Gospel Choir member Lamenga Ford in 1996.