The Denison University department of music will present "A Concert of Gospel Music and Spirituals" featuring the University Gospel Choir at 6 p.m., Saturday (April 5) in Swasey Chapel. The choir is under the direction of Raymond Wise. Admission is free and open to the public.

The concert is a varied program of spirituals, traditional and contemporary gospel music. The program will feature the musical compositions and arrangement of various gospel composers including works by director Wise. Some of the titles include "The Lord's Prayer," "Lord Send Your Spirit," "There is a Balm in Gilead," and "He is My Light."

The Gospel Choir is composed of some 130 voices, both students and faculty members of all races and nationalities from the Denison campus and local community. All participants also are enrolled in an African-American Gospel Music and Spirituals course in which they receive training in the performance and historical development of African-American Gospel as well as academic credit.

In addition to conducting the Gospel Choir, Wise, a 1983 graduate of Denison, teaches at Ohio State University and the Columbus School for Girls. He holds a master's degree and doctorate in music education from Ohio State and has studied at the Institute for European Studies in Vienna and San Francisco State University. He currently serves as an associate minister at Faith Ministries Interdenominational Church and is founder and president of Raise Productions.

About Denison:

Denison University, founded in 1831, is an independent, residential liberal arts institution located in Granville, Ohio. A highly selective college enrolling 2,100 full-time undergraduate students from all 50 states and dozens of foreign countries, Denison is a place where innovative faculty and motivated students collaborate in rigorous scholarship, civic engagement and the cultivation of independent thinking.

For press inquiries:

Name

Barbara Stambaugh

Position Title

Director, Media Relations

Primary Email

stambaughb@denison.edu

Business Phone

(740) 587-8575