History

The Gospel Choir is dedicated to making a joyful noise unto the Lord, and to having a good time while doing it.  Music performed by the choir is in the African-American tradition.  Rehearsals are held once a week on Monday nights at 9:30 in the Coleman Chapel.  Performances are schedule throughout the school year.

The St. John Fisher Gospel Choir was founded by Reverend Alvin Parris II in 1993.  Reverend Paris is a 1973 alum of the Eastman School of Music, and he also has a degree in music education.  Reverend Paris has founded many gospel choirs in the Greater Rochester area including those at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), Nazareth College, St. John Fisher College, Monroe Community College, and the University of Rochester.  Not only did he found the choir, but he also wrote all of its original music.  Reverend Paris stepped down from the director's position in 1995 as his responsibilities at his church grew more demanding.

Eloise Leonard became director in 1995 and Janet Poles was the next to follow after her.  Miss Poles advocated her position as director in 2001 after participating in a co-directorship with Carey Smith, Jr.  Carey Smith became the sole director in 2002 and then shared another co-directorship with Ron Sykes in the 2003-2004 academic year.  For the 2004-2005 academic year Carey Smith, Jr. resumed sole directorship of the choir; he is currently the sole director of the Gospel Choir for the 2005-2006 academic year.

The original Gospel Choir performed various concerts throughout the year for such events as the campus' Black History month celebration.  The choir currently participates in the campus' annual Day of Celebration (GOSPELICIOUS), Four Freedoms week presentations, the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebration, the Teddi Dance For Love opening ceremonies, and the annual II GOSPELICIOUS concert held in the Spring.