Online voting begins today
Singer Danita Mumphard of Florissant has been chosen as a finalist in the national 2005 Kraft Gospel Talent Search.
“I am honored to represent the positive message of Christ and His salvation through song,” Mumphard said. “Participation in the Kraft Gospel Talent Search allows my music ministry to reach a national stage.”
Mumphard was one of 20 singers chosen from more than 1,000 videotaped submissions. Only 10 singers advanced to the finals based on overall vocal ability, stage presence, originality/creativity, and results of a first round of online voting.
The ten finalists will compete in a live singing competition June 30 at the House of Blues in New Orleans. Among the judges is Grammy Award nominee and Stellar Award winner Kim Burrell. The winner will receive $25,000 and an audition with Sony Urban Gospel Music.
Online voting at www.kraftfoods.com/gospel will precede the live competition and will be combined with judges’ scores to determine the winner of the contest. To cast votes, Kraft Foods requires free registration. Daily voting from June 2 through June 16 is allowed and encouraged.
(Local gospel fans may be divided in their loyalties should they go online to vote. Reportedly Tisha Haynes, the daughter of Pastor John Haynes of Mt. Sinai Baptist Church here in St. Louis, also is a finalist in the competition.)
Mumphard has been singing gospel music since her youth. She grew up in a family with a mother who serves as a minister of music at St. Louis’ First Free Will Baptist Church and a father who is the bassist for the renowned jazz group Trio Trés Bien.
“Music was always in our home and in my heart,” Mumphard said. “How could I not want to sing when I constantly heard live gospel and jazz played under my roof?”
Mumphard began singing as a youth in churches with her mother, Gwendolyn Thompson, a retired music teacher in the St. Louis Public Schools, and her older sister. As she grew in her knowledge of God’s Word and in vocal maturity, she moved from choir and ensemble work and began performing as a solo gospel artist.
“The Biblical teachings of my pastor and aunt, Dr. Patricia T. Whitelocke, have been my inspiration to share the good news musically,” stated Mumphard, a member of St. Louis Bibleway Church.
She has been the opening act for gospel legends Ron Winans, of the famed group The Winans, and Grammy Award winner Tramaine Hawkins. She has been the featured psalmist at churches in St. Louis, Atlanta and Louisville. Her television appearances include feature spots on “Show Me St. Louis” and the “Fox Morning Show.”
Mumphard’s debut CD, Eternally, recorded at the Mumphards’ own Reap Pen Studios, was released in November 2002. Eternally features 11 contemporary gospel songs, eight of which were written by Mumphard and her husband, Robert Mumphard. Her single, “Give Him Praise,” is in rotation at St. Louis’ top gospel station, KATZ Gospel 1600.
Mumphard also performs with Trio Trés Bien.
“When a gig cropped up at the last minute and we needed a singer, my brothers and I thought we’d give Danita a try,” father Harold Thompson said. “The crowd’s reaction to her was so favorable that we have kept her as our featured vocalist.”
Gospel and jazz aren’t worlds apart, Mumphard said. “Both allow for artistic expression, and both move people in indescribable ways,” she explained.
“The songs I perform have positive, uplifting messages, so there is no conflict whatsoever.”
Mumphard’s appearances with Trio Trés Bien at Ozzie Smith’s retirement party and the Missouri Botanical Garden’s Jazz Festival attracted the attention of other musicians. She has performed with Jazz—The Group and is featured on saxophonist Rod Tate’s CD, The Secret Place.
Danita is an academic adviser in the Special Services office at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville. She has three children: Robbie, Amarria, and Jared.
Additional information can be found at www.danitasings.com.