GRANVILLE - The Denison University Department of Music will present "A Concert of Gospel Music and Spirituals" featuring the University Gospel Choir at 7 p.m. on Sunday (Nov. 10) in Swasey Chapel. The concert will be directed by Raymond Wise, class of '83, and is free and open to the public.

The Denison Gospel Choir was formed just two years ago in the spring of 2000 and has grown from 26 members to more than 100 members currently. Student members of the choir also earn academic credit by being enrolled in an African-American Gospel Music and Spirituals course in which they receive training not only in performance techniques, but also study the historical development of African-American Gospel Music. This multi-cultural choir is comprised of students, faculty, and staff members of all races and nationalities from the Denison campus and local community. Some are music majors, but the majority of the choir's members are non-music majors who represent a wide range of academic majors and class levels.

The Denison University Gospel Choir with Director Raymond Wise '83.

The program will consist of a variety of spirituals and traditional and contemporary gospel music. It will feature several gospel composers including works by director Wise. Some of the songs include "The Name of the Lord," "I Must Tell," "Prayer of Jabez," "He's Worthy to be Praised," "What a Friend We Have in Jesus," "I Want to be Ready," and "Glory, Glory, Hallelujah."

Wise earned his bachelor of fine arts degree at Denison and master's and doctoral degrees in music education at Ohio State. He serves as an affiliated studio instructor in the music department at Denison and also teaches at Ohio State University, Trinity Lutheran Seminary, and the Columbus School for Girls. In addition, he has studied at the Institute for European Studies in Vienna, Austria, and at San Francisco State University.

In 1992, Wise established a Center for the Gospel Arts in Columbus, which provides educational training for gospel artists and the community. He also is founder and President of Raise Productions, a gospel music production company in Columbus that sponsors three national recording groups and offers support services to the gospel community.

For press inquiries:

Name

Barbara Stambaugh

Position Title

Director, Media Relations

Primary Email

stambaughb@denison.edu

Business Phone

(740) 587-8575