Wednesday, October 19, 2005
KSU Gospel Ensemble to perform at USI Gospel Explosion
|
The award-winning Kentucky State University Gospel Ensemble will perform during the USI Multicultural Center’s Gospel Explosion, from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, November 5, in Forum I in the Wright Administration Building at USI. Formed by KSU students in the mid-1960s, the Gospel Ensemble has performed at the inauguration of Governor Paul Patton and with leading gospel artists such as the Winans, O’Landa Draper, Shun-Pace Rhodes, Al Green, Ricky Dillard, and Michael Houston. They also have backed recording artist Bobbie Mason in concert on several occasions. The Gospel Ensemble was selected as Grand Prize Winner of the 1998 Creme of Nature HerbaRich Gospel Choir Competition sponsored by Revlon. Members received new robes and a trip to New York City for a commercial recording session, and participated in the Revlon-sponsored 1998 pre-Grammy gospel concert hosted by Natalie Cole. The choir also has performed for Kweisi Mfume, president and CEO of the NAACP, on two occasions. Leon Richard, professor of music, is choir director and faculty advisor for the group. Dwayne Plummer, a senior psychology major, is student director, and Chad Williams, a senior business major, serves as president. During the 2005-06 year, performances are planned in Indianapolis, Columbus, Chicago, Detroit, Memphis, and Atlanta. USI’s gospel choir, Designed by Grace, under the direction of Thomas Brank, will perform, as will the African American Choral Ensemble (AACE), made up of middle school and high school students in the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation. The event is free and open to the public. For more information about the Gospel Explosion, contact Pamela Hopson, director of the USI Multicultural Center, at 812/465-7188. |
Copyright © 2013 University of Southern Indiana. All rights reserved.