This past weekend, the Gospel Choir held their Thanksgiving Praise and Worship performance, an event for which they had prepared the entire semester. “With representing JSU, we want to do what we do with a ‘Spirit of Excellence,’” said Dr. Corey O’Neal, Gospel Choir Director. The Gospel Choir typically has two or three fall performances and three to five performances in the spring, depending on the number of invitations they receive to perform.

The JSU Gospel Choir was first formed during the transitional period between the 70s and the 80s by retired professor Dr. Myrtis Collins-Fields. During her time directing the ensemble, Gospel Choir toured the state of Alabama and was featured on the BET Bobby Jones Gospel Show.

Gospel Choir is more than just an extracurricular activity for its members. “I have been told by my students it serves as a pick-up for the week,” said Dr. Corey O’Neal. “They may be going through some personal issues, but it is a time to sing and get their mind off their problems – it is their time to get close to God and release their burdens.”

Students interested in joining the Gospel Choir can do so by registering for MU 138 or MU 338. There are scholarship opportunities for those interested. Tryouts are held in the month of February, and the dates will be published on the Music Department webpage. Students who receive a scholarship must register for the course and maintain a GPA of 2.5. If anyone has questions, they can email Dr. O’Neal at csoneal@jsu.edu. Undergraduate and graduate students are welcome.