JCSU choir aims to prove gospel is high art at Carnegie Hall
Twenty-five students from Johnson C. Smith University will present a program blending gospel and Afrofuturist themes in New York City.
By Lauren Foster ·
Charlotte-based Johnson C. Smith University has a 100-year history of training musicians in the Piedmont. This month, that legacy moves north of the Mason-Dixon line as the school's choir prepares for a debut at Carnegie Hall.
Twenty-five students will perform on Nov. 28 in New York City. The appearance is part of "Sounds of the Season," a concert series presented by Distinguished Concerts International New York. The group will present a program titled "A Gospel of Gratitude," which mixes gospel and contemporary music.
Dr. Angelica Brooks directs the university's choir. She told WFAE that the New York performance aims to shift how audiences perceive Black musical traditions. Brooks wants to move gospel music beyond a label of simple entertainment. She described the goal as proving that the music is high art. "Bringing it to Carnegie Hall takes it out of the sphere or perspective of it being fun music to now being, no, this music is high art," Brooks said. She added that the performance should communicate specific messages about Black identity and history.
The setlist also addresses the intersection of Afrofuturism and Christianity within the Black church. Student Tanasia Kirby spoke to WCCB Charlotte about these themes. Kirby said the music helps the group remember their cultural roots. "What we're focusing on is Afrofuturism and Christianity in the Black church," Kirby said. She noted that this focus helps the group remember who they are as African-American people.
Choir member Lamar Chance said the trip serves as a statement of presence for historically Black colleges and universities. Chance told WFAE that the performance allows students to demonstrate that their institutions continue to contribute to the cultural landscape. "We are here, we will be here, we will continue to be here," Chance said. He expressed hope that the New York audience will see what Johnson C. Smith represents and that the trip could open doors to performances outside of North Carolina.
The itinerary includes time in the city beyond the concert hall. Brooks said the group plans to tour New York and attend a musical. Some students are visiting the city for the first time. Brooks described the experience as a chance for students to envision themselves in larger professional spaces. The university's choral program currently includes the University Choir, the Golden Voices Gospel Choir, and the Smith Singers.
