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.