Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Charleston Gospel Choir Spring 2016 Performance: The Black Pupil: Educated Against All Odds, 5 PM Saturday, March 19, David A. Richardson, Music Director



The Charleston Gospel Choir is pleased to present its 2016 spring performance entitled The Black Pupil: Educated Against All Odds, The Epic Story of How Black Educators Triumphed, Saturday, March 19 at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, 405 King Street, Charleston, at 5:00pm under the musical direction of David A. Richardson.

Through song and narration, the performance weaves the story of the historical struggle and perseverance of black students denied equal access to formal education and the will and persistence of black educators to develop the black community’s intellectuals and scholars despite all odds. 

The internationally acclaimed Charleston Gospel Choir will perform moving gospel standards from Post-Reconstruction through the Jim Crow era including Precious Memories, Beams of Heaven, Grateful and At the Altar All to tell the story of how newly educated black children and teachers triumphed over deplorable conditions that included one-room classrooms with little or no heat.
“The 1970s ushered in an era of post-Vietnam veteran male teachers, many of whom were the first of a trend that has since decreased over the years. These military veterans provided black male role models who were part of the unique “it takes a village” model I knew growing up in Berkeley County. The entire community, black and white educators, were vested and strongly behind black pupils’ success. Education is such a life-defining part of the human experience; as we know separate but “not” equal continues to be a part of the American experience, so this story means a great deal to me and our multi-ethic choir members,” said Lee Pringle, Charleston Gospel Choir President and event producer.

“The legacy of educators we all take with us throughout life. I am moved as an educator to conduct this performance to reflect on the gifts of those long gone but whose legacies remains with us. I am honoring my dear mother Georgia Richardson, who after 35 years continues to teach in the Berkeley County School District as an elementary education teacher. This performance is indeed a highlight of my career,” said David A. Richardson, Music Director.

Tickets and Information
Charleston Gospel Choir
The Black Pupil: Educated Against All Odds
Saturday, March 19, 2016 ∙ 5:00pm
St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, 405 King Street, Charleston SC

General Admission tickets:
$20 adults
$10 children or students with ID
Tickets: www.charlestongospelchoir.org; (866) 811-4111
or at door (cash or check only) up to one half hour before event

About the Charleston Gospel Choir

Now in its sixteenth year, the Charleston Gospel Choir, currently under the direction of David A. Richardson, is Charleston’s celebrated culturally diverse choir performing gospel, spirituals, and sacred music for annual concert events including a Palm Saturday weekend performance, Charleston Gospel Christmas, Piccolo Spoleto and regional events throughout the southeast.  Numerous international engagements have included Paris, London, Rome, Prague and Ghana West Africa. The Choir will tour Cuba summer 2017. www.charlestongospelchoir.org

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