Gospel Choir Concert at Bennington College’s VAPA Greenwall Auditorium
You’re Invited to an Evening of Celebration in Song: Share the Joy!
The Bennington College Gospel Choir, under the direction of Dr. Kathy Bullock, invites the community to join them for a soul-stirring evening of music and celebration at the Gospel Choir Concert: Share the Joy! on March 31, 2025. The concert will take place at the VAPA Greenwall Auditorium at 7:30 pm. The event is free and open to all.
This special concert brings together the powerful and uplifting traditions of Spirituals, Gospel, and South African songs, drawn from both African American and African sacred music traditions. The concert aims to highlight the shared joy, resilience, and spirituality embedded within these musical forms and to create an unforgettable evening of celebration for all attendees. Special Guests will include the Bennington Children’s Choir, directed by Kerry Ryer-Parke.
"We are thrilled to present this concert, where we will showcase the rich history and vibrant energy of African American and African sacred music traditions,” said Dr. Kathy Bullock, Director of the Bennington College Gospel Choir. "Our choir has worked tirelessly to prepare a diverse and dynamic program, and we hope to share the joy of this music with everyone in the audience."
Bullock is an educator, scholar, singer, accompanist, arranger, and choral conductor specializing in gospel music, spirituals, and classical works by composers of the African diaspora. A Professor Emerita of Music from Berea College, she currently teaches and conducts workshops on African American music globally. Bullock earned a Ph.D. and M.A. in Music Theory from Washington University and a B.A. from Brandeis University. Now retired from full-time teaching, she is a visiting faculty and artist in residence at various Colleges and Universities, including Bennington College, VT. Bullock's work explores African American music’s connections with African, Appalachian, and Civil Rights movements, and she leads workshops and performances across the U.S., Europe, and Africa.
The concert will feature performances of traditional and contemporary Gospel songs, evocative Spirituals, inspiring and infectious South and West African songs and other uplifting songs of freedom and hope, each with deep historical and cultural significance. The evening is designed to transport the audience on a musical journey, celebrating the diversity and power of sacred music across cultures and time periods.