Alumnus Henry Panion Leads Powerful Film to 14 Telly Awards, Two Emmy Nominations
AAMU Choir Part of Award-Winning Concert Documentary
Alabama A&M University continues to shine on the national stage, this time through the powerful voices of its choir and the artistry of distinguished alumnus Dr. Henry Panion III.
Panion’s musical documentary “A Symphony Celebration: The Blind Boys of Alabama with Dr. Henry Panion III” earned top honors at the 46th Annual Telly Awards, securing 14 awards including two prestigious Gold Tellys. The performance, captured live at the Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center in Birmingham, brought together the legendary Blind Boys of Alabama, the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, and a 300-voice combined choir representing seven Alabama institutions, including Alabama A&M University.
A proud alumnus, Panion earned his undergraduate degree in music education at Alabama A&M University before pursuing his master’s and doctorate in music theory at The Ohio State University. Today, he serves as University Professor of Music at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and is widely recognized as a Grammy-winning composer, conductor, arranger, and educator. His career has spanned decades and genres, and he has collaborated with the Blind Boys of Alabama for more than 20 years.
Released in February 2024, the Emmy-nominated documentary blends concert footage with rich storytelling, exploring the deep gospel roots and lasting cultural legacy of the Blind Boys. Through powerful musical arrangements, emotional interviews, and biographical vignettes, A Symphony Celebration delivers both a moving performance and a historical journey. Panion arranged and orchestrated the musical score and conducted the live performance, which included not only the Blind Boys' greatest hits but also sweeping orchestral elements and a monumental chorus of collegiate voices.
“This performance was more than a concert – it was a celebration of heritage, perseverance, and artistry,” said Panion. “To be recognized among more than 13,000 entries, and to receive the only two Gold Tellys in our categories, is an incredible honor.”
The production took home a Gold Telly for History in the Television category, a Gold Telly for Original Score in the Film & Shorts category, a Silver Telly for Writing, Editing, Directing, Sound & Sound Design, Use of Music, and Culture & Lifestyle and a Bronze Telly for Writing, Cinematography, Music Video, History, and Documentary,
In addition to its Telly Award success, the documentary also received two Southeast Emmy nominations: one for Audio Recording, Mixing and Design – Post-Production, and another for Musical Composition/Arrangement, the latter of which recognized Panion’s work.
The film is available nationwide on PBS stations and streaming via PBS Passport.