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Thank you for your support of the UM Gospel Choir! While this project has ended, you can still contribute to the cause at https://umfoundation.givingfuel.com.
Every fall, the University of Mississippi Gospel Choir invites the university family and the Oxford community to come together to celebrate with a night of fellowship and uplifting songs performed by some of the most talented students at UM.
The concert, set this year for Saturday, Nov. 2 at 6 p.m., at Tallahatchie-Oxford Missionary Baptist Association Building, is totally free and open to all students, faculty, community members and friends.
However, while free to everyone, the concert is not without costs. To continue to offer this event to all who want to join in fellowship, the UM Gospel Choir needs your support.
"The Gospel Choir’s fall concert celebrates the end of a semester of growth and showcases our talent and love of God,” said André Smith, the chief of staff for the choir and a senior biology major from Tylertown, Mississippi. “We must live up to our Grammy nomination and use our voices, spirit and assets thoughtfully to impact our community.”
The UM Gospel Choir has been a symbol of pride for the university since it began in 1974. It remains the only college choir to ever be nominated for a Grammy in the Gospel category for their album, “Send Up the Praise” nearly 20 years ago.
Since then, the choir has performed regularly, representing the University of Mississippi at sporting events, campus holiday celebrations, gatherings at the Chancellor’s residence and public concerts in Oxford and across the state and the South. To watch videos of past performances, visit the choir's YouTube channel.
Students dedicate long hours of practice outside of their academic responsibilities and also work to raise money to cover the choir’s operating expenses. For all they’ve done for the university, these students deserve our support.
Please contribute to allow the UM Gospel Choir to continue to thrive and impact our community. We hope to see you Nov. 2!
It’s been 20 years since the UM Gospel Choir signed to a major record label to produce the album, “Send Up the Praise.” The album was nominated for a Grammy in 2000 in the Gospel category. The UM Gospel Choir is the only college choir to ever receive a Grammy nomination in that category.
The UM Gospel Choir began in 1974 as the Black Student Union Choir, providing a sense of belonging for African-American students who were just gaining a foothold at the university in the early years of integration. In 1991, the name changed to the University of Mississippi Gospel Choir to reflect that the organization represents the entire university on a national stage.
The 2019-2020 UM Gospel Choir is composed of 101 students who study across all academic fields at the university and are involved in student government, outreach and many other student organizations.
Grammy Museum Mississippi opened in March 2016 in Cleveland to celebrate our state's rich musical history. The UM Gospel Choir performed at the opening ceremony for the museum as a living example of that tradition.
Renting the venue for the fall concert – the Tallahatchie-Oxford Missionary Baptist Association building – will cost the choir $500. By covering that cost, you lift a financial burden for students.