News & Events

Norfolk State University's Concert Choir performed for Middle and Upper School on February 6, captivating both audiences with its songs and educating about spiritual and gospel music and their history.

NSU students can audition to be part of the Concert Choir, which rehearses each day and performs regularly around Virginia and beyond throughout the school year. Dr. Harlan Zackery Jr., Director of Choral Activities, directs the ensemble with Terry Butler, Assistant Director of Choral Activities. This spring alone the group is performing in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.

The choir sang a variety of spiritual and gospel songs, interspersing in lessons. Spirituals are African American folk songs that originated during slavery. Passed along through generations, they moved from private settings into churches and concert halls, developing into gospel music.

While they came from a wrongful part of history, and did address the suffering of slavery, the songs were not meant to be angry. Instead, they were uplifting, focused on hope and freedom, Dr. Zackery said.

Among the songs the choir performed were Oh Be Joyful!, Every Time I Feel the Spirit, and Steal Away, which was arranged by Nicole Houston, who was in the choir and now teaches in Chesapeake.