Founded:
October 1996 by Dr. Linda B. Walker
History:
In the 85-year history of the School of Music there had not been a gospel choir and gospel music had not been performed as a part of the School's repertoire. This history changed when Walker founded the Kent State University Gospel Choir in 1996. She submitted a proposal to then Director of the School of Music who approved the proposal and predicted that gospel choir might become “the most popular ensemble in the School.”
KSU Gospel Choir was first offered as a class through the Exploratory College, with an enrollment of 40 members. The first concert was held in Ludwig Recital Hall on April 11, 1997, before a standing room only crowd. The performance venue changed three times in order to accommodate standing room only crowds. In 1998, KSU Gospel Choir received an invitation to perform in Central Europe. This was the commencement of an international reputation as well as the impetus for other international tours* and invitations abroad.
International Tours — Florence, Rome, Venice, Pisa, Italy; Paris, France (1998); The Bahamas (2001); Prague, Czech Republic; Nitra, Slovakia; Vienna, Austria; Budapest, Hungary (2003)
Statistics:
Book Scholarship Recipients – 15
Fundraising Auctions – 3
Guest Artists (Vocal/Instrumental) – 96
Guest Speakers – 5
Guest Choirs – 16
Graduate Assistants – 4
International Tours – 3
1998-Florence, Rome, Venice, & Pisa, Italy; Paris, France
2001-Nassau, Bahamas
2003-Prague, Czech Republic; Nitra, Slovakia; Vienna, Austria; Budapest, Hungary
Published, Related Research Articles – 4
Total Accompanists: piano, keyboard – 8; drums – 8; bass – 7, guitar - 3
Total Choir Members – 501
Total Concerts – 21
Tuition Scholarship Recipients – 1 (first award, Spring 2007)