🎤⭐️🎶 Big Announcement! Syracuse University and The National Grid Syracuse International Jazz Festival are thrilled to announce our visiting collegiate choir for “Return to Community: A Sunday Gospel Jazz Service.” Welcome to The Bowie State University Gospel Choir of Bowie, Maryland! On June 30, The Bowie State University Gospel Choir will perform with The Black Celestial Choral Ensemble of Syracuse University (BCCE) of Syracuse University and a community choir composed of Syracuse-area residents, led by Cora Thomas.
“The Bowie State University Gospel Choir is honored and excited to perform at Hendricks Chapel of Syracuse University,” said Professor LaTonya Wrenn, choir director. “Our students are excited to see our choir’s name next to the likes of The O’Jays and Kenny G! We can’t wait to visit Syracuse and share our time and treasure at Syracuse University!”
“Return to Community: A Sunday Gospel Jazz Service”
Sunday, June 30, 2024
Program: 3:00 pm
Pre-Event Luncheon: 12:30-2:30 pm
Hendricks Chapel of Syracuse University
There is no fee to attend the program or lunch. All are welcome.
Attendance Capacity: 1,000 with overflow seating available outdoors
As the grand finale of the National Grid Syracuse International Jazz Fest in 2024, Hendricks Chapel of Syracuse University will once again serve as host site for “Return to Community: A Sunday Gospel Jazz Service,” featuring performances by The Bowie State University Gospel Choir (Bowie, Maryland), The Black Celestial Choral Ensemble (BCCE) of Syracuse University, and a community choir comprised of Syracuse-area residents.
Following a highly successful inaugural Sunday event in 2023, the 2024 Jazz Fest will once again offer a dynamic and inclusive spiritual experience that fuses and celebrates Gospel and Jazz, includes a pre-event welcome luncheon, and seeks to spark and sustain renewal in our local community and beyond. The 3:00 pm program and 12:30 pm luncheon are both free of charge and open to the first 1,000 attendees.
The Bowie State University Gospel Choir
Founded in l975 by the late Professor Levenis Smith, the Bowie State University Gospel Choir has since developed into a world-renowned assembly of vocalists through its energetic Gospel music renditions. Through the leadership of its current director, Professor LaTonya Wrenn, the choir has performed at various competitions and congregations throughout North America. Bowie State University (BSU) is an important higher education access portal for qualified persons from diverse academic and socioeconomic backgrounds, seeking a high-quality and affordable public comprehensive university. The university places special emphasis on the science, technology, cybersecurity, teacher education, business and nursing disciplines, within the context of a liberal arts education.
The Black Celestial Choral Ensemble (BCCE) of Syracuse University
Founded in 1977 by Rev. Dr. Seretta C. McKnight to provide a spiritual home for Black students at Syracuse University, the Black Celestial Choral Ensemble (BCCE) ministers through Gospel music that fosters and supports academic excellence at a university welcoming to all. Led by student director Joshua Garvin ’25 and supported through The Alumni Group (TAG) of the BCEE, the choir has performed at numerous venues throughout North America, including the Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church (Atlanta, GA), the spiritual home of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and currently led by Rev. Dr. Senator Raphael Warnock.
Gospel Jazz Community Choir
To honor the Sunday Gospel Jazz Service theme of “Return to Community,” a diverse community choir composed of Syracuse area residents will once again be led by Cora Thomas, known locally as “Syracuse’s First Lady of Gospel Music.” Born and raised in Syracuse, Thomas serves on numerous community organizations and hosts “Sunday Morning Gospel” on WAER 88.3 of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. All interested in participating in the community choir may contact Cora Thomas at cathomas@syr.edu or Hendricks Chapel at chapel@syr.edu or 315.443.2901.
Pre-Event Outdoor Welcome Luncheon
To express the Sunday Gospel Jazz Service theme of “Return to Community,” a pre-event outdoor welcome luncheon, featuring free food and refreshments, will take place on the Kenneth A. Shaw Quadrangle of Syracuse University from 12:30 pm-2:30 pm. At 2:30 pm, the first 1,000 guests will be ushered into Hendricks Chapel for the 3:00 pm Sunday Gospel Jazz Service start time.
National Grid Syracuse International Jazz Fest
For additional information on the 2024 National Grid Syracuse International Jazz Fest, please visit syracusejazzfest.com.