Newark Symphony Hall (NSH) Special Ensemble youth performance group was named the Youth Choir Winner at McDonald's GospelFest 2011: The Mighty Men of Valor at the Prudential Center in Newark on Saturday, June 18, 2011. NSH Special Ensemble was selected as a finalist from over 40,000 participants, and competed against numerous youth choirs from the New York/New Jersey Metropolitan area.

NSH Special Ensemble is a premier youth performance group comprised of 12 students, ages 8-14, who are hand selected from past and present members of NSH Children's Performing Arts Academy and NSH Youth Gospel Choir Workshop.

Under the leadership of Mr. Hugh A. Davis and the direction of Ms. Candice Anderson, NSH Special Ensemble participants are featured at various events throughout the Metropolitan area including church celebrations, receptions, and more. NSH Special Ensemble participants experience and appreciate the discipline, commitment and perseverance involved in achieving performance excellence…and it shows!