Music Faculty
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Rev. Raymond Wise
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Rev. Raymond Wise is a member of Denison's Class of 1983. He is founder and President of Raise Productions, a gospel music production company in Columbus, Ohio. Raymond also serves as a part-time member of the Music Department at Denison, where he conducts the college's Gospel choir. In addition he teaches at The Ohio State University and the Columbus School for Girls.
Raymond's musical career has been broad and productive. As a teen, he served as a chorus member and soloist for the Baltimore Opera Company's educational outreach program. At Denison, Raymond reorganized the Black Student Union Choir and started the Black Student Union Ensemble and Dance Company. Recently he has served as the chorus Master for the world premiere of the Opera Columbus Production of Leslie Burrs' "Vanqui." As a prolific composer, Raymond has penned more than 490 compositions and wrote the musical score for an opera entitled "Barefoot," which is based upon a children's book focusing on the Underground Railroad. "Barefoot" premiered this fall in North Carolina, a production of The Children's Theater Board of Winston-Salem. Raymond himself served as musical directory for the production, and Dr. Maya Angelou was narrator.
Raymond holds the Master's degree in Music Education from The Ohio State University, where he is currently completing a Doctorate in the same field. He has also studied at the Institute for European Studies in Vienna, and San Francisco State University. He received and accepted the call to the Gospel Ministry and was licensed to preach in 1989 by the Shiloh Baptist Church in Columbus. He currently serves as an Associate Minister and Choir Director at Faith Ministries Interdenominational Church.
Raymond has established a Center for the Gospel Arts in Columbus in 1992, which provides educational training for gospel artists and the community. He has developed specialized curriculums for this school, which offers 30+ classes per week, and has served over 4000 persons. "Raise," Raymond's production company, sponsors three national recording groups and offers support services to the gospel community.
Raymond and his wife Dawnne O'Neal Wise, Ph.D. are the proud parents of Ryan Alexander Wise, born in September of 2000.