As the grand finale of The National Grid Syracuse International Jazz Fest in 2024, Hendricks Chapel at Syracuse University will host “Return to Community: A Sunday Gospel Jazz Service,” featuring The Bowie State University Gospel Choir (Bowie, MD), Black Celestial Choral Ensemble (BCCE) of Syracuse University, and a community choir composed of Syracuse-area residents, led by Cora Thomas.

This exciting program, which delighted nearly 700 patrons in 2023, will offer a dynamic and inclusive spiritual experience that fuses and celebrates Gospel and Jazz music, includes a pre-event welcome luncheon, and seeks to spark and sustain renewal in our local community and beyond. The program and luncheon are both free of charge and open to all.

No registration is necessary however, you may join the Facebook event to receive reminders.

RAIN AND INCLEMENT WEATHER
This event will be held rain or shine! For the luncheon, large event tents will protect everyone from the rain. In the event of inclement weather, attendees will be directed to a safe location.

Overflow Viewing
If we reach capacity (1,000 attendees), overflow viewing of the event will be available in the large event tents. In the event of inclement weather, outdoor viewers will be directed to a safe location.

Join the Community Chorus:
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.

Parking:
Free parking will be available in the Irving Garage and the Raynor lot. Shuttles will start running from Irving/Raynor at 11 AM. For parking maps, visit: https://parking.syr.edu/visitors-to-campus/lot-directions-and-maps/

Accessibility:
For accessible accommodations, please call Hendricks Chapel at 315.443.2901 or email chapel@syr.edu.

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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.