Purposes of the study were (1) to describe the size and instrumentation of the college gospel choir; (2) to describe the general musical activities of the college gospel choir; (3) to determine the primary body of literature performed by college gospel choirs; and (4) to determine how the college gospel choir is managed. / A 28-item survey was created and sent to gospel choir directors at 86 universities and four-year colleges in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. Seventy-eight surveys were returned which yielded a response rate of 91%. Forty-five respondents indicated that there was no gospel choir in existence at their college or university. Consequently, 33 (42%) surveys were completed and included in this study. / Results of the survey revealed that gospel choirs at colleges and universities in the Southeast were mostly medium-sized ensembles with a membership of 31 to 60 singers, accompanied by between 2 and 4 instrumentalists. The most common instruments used were the piano and drums. Synthesizers and electric keyboards were found chiefly among medium and large choirs. Membership in most (63.7% and 51.5%) choirs included music majors and non-students. / Most (97%) of the choirs rehearsed once or twice per week for 1-3 hours. Performances during the academic year usually occurred 2-4 times per month. A majority (78%) of the gospel choirs did not perform during the summer. Of the choirs who performed during the summer (21%), performances did not exceed 2 per month. The church and the college campus were places where gospel choirs most frequently performed. / In addition to contemporary gospel music, most respondents (90.9% and 97%) indicated that traditional Negro spirituals and songs written by a present or past member of the choir were included in their repertoires. None of the respondents cited the performance of secular music. / The majority of college gospel choirs (71%) were managed by students. These choirs were commonly involved in fund raising activities, and typically received honoraria for performances. Choirs managed by faculty or staff members (29%) were usually offered as a course for credit. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 54-07, Section: A, page: 2502. / Major Professor: Andre J. Thomas. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1993.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_76971 |
| Contributors | Powell, William Clayton., Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text |
| Format | 185 p. |
| Rights | On campus use only. |
| Relation | Dissertation Abstracts International |
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