Virginia State University Gospel Chorale's Incorporation Of Black Greek Fraternity/Sorority Stepping Motions In Their Processional

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post provides information about Virginia State University and that university's Gospel choir.

This post also showcases a video of Virginia State University Gospel Chorale's incorporation of historically Black Greek letter fraternity/sorority stepping motions in their processional.

The content of this post is presented for cultural, religious, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all the composer and original singer of this song, and thanks to all those who are associated with this choir. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publisher of the YouTube sound file whose link is included in this post.
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Click the "Black church processional" tag for other pancocojams posts on church processionals.

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INFORMATION ABOUT VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_State_University
"Virginia State University (VSU), also known as Virginia State, is a historically black public land-grant university in Ettrick, Virginia. Founded on March 6, 1882, Virginia State developed as the United States's first fully state-supported four-year institution of higher learning for black Americans.

[...]

Demographics
The 2017–2018 student body was 57.4% female and 43% male. It consists of 69.7% in-state and 30.3% out-of-state students.[5] 97.2% of students live on campus and 2.8% off-campus.[5] 91.1% of students self-identify as Black/African American, while 4.0% are White, and 4.0% are racially unreported.

[...]

Greek life
Virginia State University has a very active National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) along with six other non Pan-Hellenic fraternities and sororities which include the following active fraternities and sororities:

Alpha Phi Alpha (Beta Gamma)*
Alpha Kappa Alpha (Alpha Epsilon)*
Kappa Alpha Psi(Alpha Phi)*
Omega Psi Phi (Nu Psi)*
Delta Sigma Theta (Alpha Eta)*
Phi Beta Sigma (Alpha Alpha Alpha)*
Zeta Phi Beta (Phi)*
Sigma Gamma Rho (Alpha Zeta)*
Sigma Alpha Iota (Mu Beta)
Iota Phi Theta (Eta)*
Pershing Rifles
Pershing Angels
Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia (Sigma Zeta)
Kappa Kappa Psi (Zeta Psi)
Tau Beta Sigma (Epsilon Rho)
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I added an asterisk after the names of the Greek organizations that are members of National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC)(unofficially known as "the Divine Nine").

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INFORMATION ABOUT VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY GOSPEL CHORALE
From http://www.kennedy-center.org/artist/B11292
"In 1971, Jackie Ruffin had a vision that resulted in the formation of the Virginia State University Gospel Ensemble, first directed by Larry Bland. In 1977, the Ensemble recorded its first album, Everyday with Jesus. In 1978, the choir recorded its second album, He's Able, and toured extensively.
In its first two decades, the choir won many awards and honors. In 1979 and 1980, respectively, it won first and third place at the Festival of College Gospel Choirs at Columbia University. It also won first and second place several years at a competition sponsored by the National Black Music Caucus in New York City.

In the 1990s, James Holden, Jr., took over as the choir's director and faculty advisor. Under his leadership, the Chorale won first prize in the 19th Annual National Black Music Caucus Gospel Choir Competition. In 1997, the choir performed throughout Italy; the highlight of the tour was performing for the Pope's Vatican Christmas Concert along with blues legend B.B. King and a host of international artists.

Presently comprised of 75 students, the VSU Gospel Chorale continues its mission to provide music for the University and surrounding communities. In addition to Mr. Holden, the ensemble is also led by Musical Director Mark Johnson and Student Director Mechelle Luster."...

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SHOWCASE VIDEO: The Reawakening Processional



Black Awakening Choir, Published on Dec 8, 2015

VCU's Black Awakening Choir at their 2015 Fall Concert titled "The Reawakening"
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Here are two comments from this video's discussion thread:
1. mikael epps, 2017
"Song?"

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REPLY
2. JazzwifeKNS, 2018
"Fred Hammond - Let the Praise Begin"

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