31st African American Gospel Music Festival Set for Nov. 6

10/25/2016 

Two guest choirs will make their first appearance at the 31st African American Gospel Music Festival on Sunday, Nov. 6, at SUNY Cortland.

The festival begins at 4 p.m. in Old Main Brown Auditorium. The event is open to the public. Tickets are free for students and $5 for general admission. Free tickets are available on a need basis, and families with children are welcome. Proceeds and donations will support the Gospel Choir Scholarship Fund.

It is the first time that Buffalo State S.P.I.R.I.T. Gospel Choir, directed by Tianna Livingston and Malik Thomas, and Jamel Jett and Breakthrough, directed by Jamel Jett, will participate in the festival. Syracuse University Black Celestial Choral Ensemble returns for the 31st consecutive year. Proverbs 31, an ensemble comprised of Cortland students directed by Gospel Choir President Stephanie Hector, and festival host SUNY Cortland Gospel Choir, directed by Deyquan Bowens, Africana Studies Department, round out the festival.

Student Government Association President Michael Braun will extend the welcome on behalf of the College. Director of Campus Ministry Shawn Allen will present the invocation.

A mass choir comprised of all groups will come together and sing part of the grand finale. Musicians for the festival will be Bowens playing keyboard and Benjamin Terry on percussion.

The SUNY Cortland Gospel Choir is a part of the College’s Africana Studies Department. The choir is supported by the Center for Gender and Intercultural Studies, the Alumni Engagement Office, the Cortland College Foundation, the Division of Student Affairs, the President’s Office, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Office, and the student activity fee.

For more information, contact Communication Studies Professor Samuel L. Kelley at 607-753-4104, or Deborah Dintino in the Political Science and Africana Studies departments, or Hector.