Sunday, June 30, 2024
Program: 3:00 pm
Pre-Event Luncheon: 12:30-2:30 pm
Hendricks Chapel of Syracuse University
Admission: Free
Attendance Capacity: 1,000
As the grand finale of the National Grid Syracuse International Jazz Fest in 2024, Hendricks Chapel of Syracuse University will once again serve as the host site for “Return to Community: A Sunday Gospel Jazz Service,” featuring performances by the Black Celestial Choral Ensemble (BCCE) of Syracuse University, a community choir comprised of Syracuse area residents, and a soon-to-be announced nationally-renowned visiting collegiate choir.
Following a highly successful inaugural Sunday event in 2023, the 2024 Jazz Fest will once again 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 3:00 pm program and 12:30 pm luncheon are both free of charge, and open to the first 1,000 attendees.
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 Gabrielle Pinkney ‘24 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 2024 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 2024 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, all luncheon guests will be ushered into Hendricks Chapel for the 3:00 pm Sunday Gospel Jazz Service start time.
About Hendricks Chapel
Hendricks Chapel, the spiritual heart of Syracuse University, is the student-centered global home for religious, spiritual, moral, and ethical life. Established in 1930 as a home for all faiths and place for all people, the chapel hosts 15 chaplains, more than 25 student-led religious and spiritual groups, and sponsors over 1,400 programs for more than 600,000 annual attendees. Hendricks Chapel employs student workers, supports musical ensembles, offers support through the Student Opportunity Fund and Food Pantry, and partners throughout the campus community to advance academic excellence at a university welcoming to all. As a central contributor to holistic life and learning at Syracuse University, Hendricks Chapel helps to prepare engaged citizens, scholars, and leaders for participation in a changing global society. For more information, visit chapel.syracuse.edu
Program: 3:00 pm
Pre-Event Luncheon: 12:30-2:30 pm
Hendricks Chapel of Syracuse University
Admission: Free
Attendance Capacity: 1,000
As the grand finale of the National Grid Syracuse International Jazz Fest in 2024, Hendricks Chapel of Syracuse University will once again serve as the host site for “Return to Community: A Sunday Gospel Jazz Service,” featuring performances by the Black Celestial Choral Ensemble (BCCE) of Syracuse University, a community choir comprised of Syracuse area residents, and a soon-to-be announced nationally-renowned visiting collegiate choir.
Following a highly successful inaugural Sunday event in 2023, the 2024 Jazz Fest will once again 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 3:00 pm program and 12:30 pm luncheon are both free of charge, and open to the first 1,000 attendees.
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 Gabrielle Pinkney ‘24 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 2024 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 2024 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, all luncheon guests will be ushered into Hendricks Chapel for the 3:00 pm Sunday Gospel Jazz Service start time.
About Hendricks Chapel
Hendricks Chapel, the spiritual heart of Syracuse University, is the student-centered global home for religious, spiritual, moral, and ethical life. Established in 1930 as a home for all faiths and place for all people, the chapel hosts 15 chaplains, more than 25 student-led religious and spiritual groups, and sponsors over 1,400 programs for more than 600,000 annual attendees. Hendricks Chapel employs student workers, supports musical ensembles, offers support through the Student Opportunity Fund and Food Pantry, and partners throughout the campus community to advance academic excellence at a university welcoming to all. As a central contributor to holistic life and learning at Syracuse University, Hendricks Chapel helps to prepare engaged citizens, scholars, and leaders for participation in a changing global society. For more information, visit chapel.syracuse.edu