Companion Programming for “I Have a Voice” Special Exhibit April 28
Bristol, Tenn./Va. (April 10, 2019) – The Birthplace of Country Music is proud to announce that an ensemble from the East Tennessee State University Gospel Choir will appear in concert at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum on Sunday, April 28, 2019 at 3:30 p.m. in the Performance Theater. The concert is companion programming to I Have A Voice: Tennessee’s African American Musical Heritage, a special exhibit on loan from the Tennessee State Museum; the exhibit will be on display at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum through April 30.
“The I Have a Voice exhibit highlights the many important contributions made by African American Tennesseans’ to American music, and beyond,” says Head Curator Rene Rodgers. “Gospel is one of the genres that has been significantly shaped and strengthened by those contributions. We are thrilled that the ETSU Gospel Choir will be at the museum on the 28th – it is going to be a wonderful opportunity to experience the power and inspiration of that music through their performance.”
The ETSU Gospel Choir was founded in 1975 from humble roots with only 12 members. Today, the choir averages 50 singers and continues to grow with members representing a wide array of nationalities and cultures. The advisor of the choir is Mrs. Laura Terry and is led under the direction of Mr. Jimmy Young. Over the years, the choir has participated in the National Baptist Student Union (BSU) where they have been successful at some point with a first, second and third place finish at this fellowship competition. The main purpose of the choir is to provide a source of inspiration to the community and its members through ministry and praise. This is done at local churches and civic organizations, as well as universities throughout East Tennessee and surrounding areas.
Tickets to the ETSU Gospel Choir performance at the museum are $5; entrance to the I Have a Voice special exhibit is free to ticket holders. Special thanks to Wells Fargo for their support of I Have a Voice and its related programming.