UAIS

The Gospel Feast© was first introduced to the American public in 2006 at the University of Arkansas. It is a sit-down dinner served in four courses to paying guests who are entertained with music, drumming, dance, drama, and step.

The idea of The Gospel Feast© came about as a result of numerous conversations Dr. Jones had with fellow music colleagues during his early teaching career. In their discussions, these colleagues would often refer to spirituals as gospel songs and would just as often refer to gospel tunes as spirituals. Desiring to correct this misconception, Dr. Jones was left to decide how he might be able to offer information about these genres and others in a manner that would be entertaining, informative, and inspiring. In 2000, after attending a madrigal dinner, Dr. Jones began putting together the concept of The Gospel Feast©. He subsequently took a sabbatical and spent time researching and putting the ideas on paper. Today, The Gospel Feast© has been presented in various venues in Arkansas, Mississippi, and Beijing, China.

During the presentation the meal is served in four courses which coincide with a different scene being depicted. The scenes are as follows:

Scene 1 - African Culture
This scene presents African songs and narration of African culture and life pertinent to musical events and everyday life at that time.

Scene 2 - American Slavery & Spirituals
This scene presents a portrait of slave life with representative songs of the period. Included in this scene is the dramatic presentation “Heartbreak Day” written by Sharon Reives.

Scene 3 - Harlem Renaissance & Traditional Gospel Music
This scene depicts freedom in black communities and the music that resulted from past and present experiences.

Scene 4 - The Civil Rights Movement & Modern Gospel Music
This scene presents gospel music of the modern era and narration of the importance of music during the Civil Rights struggle.

» Click on the video below to view footage from The Gospel Feast©.

[flashvideo filename=http://inspire.uark.edu/flv/gospel_feast.flv /]

When it was first presented, The Gospel Feast© sold out. The second year it was presented in two nights instead of one and again sold out. It has since been presented on college campuses and in China. A concert version of The Gospel Feast© was presented at the Beijing Concert Hall. Many musicians, community leaders, and church leaders are beginning to realize this as a powerful way of expressing gratitude to a special group of people and an exciting fundraiser.

Presently, Dr. Jones and the University of Arkansas Inspirational Singers are available to present The Gospel Feast© in embassies, churches, schools, and community venues. Additionally, music and cd’s are available to assist groups that may enjoy giving the presentation with some consulting and small ensemble participation by Dr. Jones and the Inspirational Singers.

Please make plans to attend this year’s presentation of The Gospel Feast©, which will be held on February 20 & 21, 2009 at the Fayetteville Town Center.

Click here for directions to the Fayetteville Town Center.

GOOD WILL TOURS

The Inspirational Singers have had numerous opportunities to tour the state and the region in an effort to forge relationships that will benefit both the University of Arkansas and neighboring communities. Through the Good Will Tours to Arkansas and Good Will Tours to the Region, the singers are able to take their message to other communities that would otherwise not be afforded that opportunity.

Good Will Tours to Arkansas is designed to build relationships with people across the state. This idea was conceived in response to the frequent invitations received by the Inspirational Singers from civic leaders in various communities across Arkansas. Since the cost for engaging an ensemble this size is often prohibitive, administrators have offered financial assistance in an effort to assist in building these relationships. In 2007, the Inspirational Singers accepted invitations to Hot Springs and Camden. Both were a great success and had a lasting impact on the communities.

Good Will Tours to the Region is designed to build relationships with people in neighboring or near neighboring states. Some of the more recent regional tours have included Terrell, TX; Kosciusko, MS; Kansas City, MO; Memphis, TN; St. Louis, MO; and Chicago, IL.

The Way It Works…

Upon arrival to the host community destination, the singers will engage in activities such as a Step Team Workshop or Dance Workshop with the host and their community guests. These activities may also include a picnic or a Q and A session about college life and financial aid. Afterwards, the singers will check into a local hotel and prepare for the evening concert venue, which usually includes other choirs from within that community. The concert is followed by a meal and time of fellowship with the host and community guests. Following an overnight stay, the ensemble will visit a local church where they participate in the Sunday morning service and usually perform a short concert. After the service, the Inspirational Singers will enjoy a meal and time of fellowship before the choir returns to the University of Arkansas.

A typical itinerary will include:

Saturday

8:00a Depart from University of Arkansas campus
2:00p Arrive at destination
2:30p Step Team Workshop
4:00p Depart for hotel
5:15p Depart for concert venue
6:30p Concert with host and guest choirs
8:30p Join host for food and fellowship
9:30p Depart for hotel

Sunday

9:45a Depart for Sunday service venue
10:45a Participate in morning worship service
12:15p Join host for food and fellowship
2:30p Depart for University of Arkansas campus

Other Performances

Other opportunities include invitations to perform for Arkansas All-State Conventions and some national conferences. In addition, the Inspirational Singers have been invited to perform for Heads of State, governors, legislators, and other dignitaries.

INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL

In addition to traveling within the state and region, the Inspirational Singers have also had the opportunity to travel internationally.

During Spring Break 2007, the singers took a performance tour of Beijing, China under the invitation of the National Association of African American Studies Conference. The organization’s Director, Dr. Lemuel Berry, has made over 40 trips to China during the last ten years taking academicians and arranging for ensembles to perform in some of the strategic venues in China. American pop-music and, in particular, American Gospel music are two of the most listened-to styles of music on the Asian continent.

The singers were well received in Beijing and the venues included performances at both Beijing Union University and the famous Beijing Concert Hall. Local sight-seeing tours took the singers to the Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Ming Tombs, and the Temple of Heaven. There was an abundance of shopping opportunities in Beijing of which the singers gladly took full advantage.

A second international tour to South America is planned for Spring Break 2009.

Spring Gospel FeastTime Travel Concert 

How It All Began.

The University of Arkansas Inspirational Singers is one of the most successful diversity initiatives at the University of Arkansas. It is also the longest running initiative of its kind and will be forever linked to its principle founder, Dr. Harry Budd who passed away on July 23, 2006.

The ensemble began in 1977 when Dr. Budd teamed with other administrators and students to start the ensemble. A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Harry Budd went to Little Rock, Arkansas to attend Philander Smith College. He later attended the University of Arkansas where he received both his master’s degree and doctorate of education degree. At that time, black students sought a way to express themselves through their culture and the Inspirational Singers was an excellent vehicle for that purpose.

Dr. Budd eventually left Arkansas and went back to Pennsylvania where he took a job in the Modern Language Department at Slippery Rock University. While he was teaching there, Dr. Budd organized another gospel choir before retiring in 1997.

The Tradition Continues.

Although it is not uncommon to find Gospel Choirs on college campuses, it is uncommon to have administrative support in that endeavor. Since its inception, the Inspirational Singers has been a student organization and students representing each of the university’s colleges have participated in the ensemble. In more recent years, it has developed from being primarily a student-led ensemble to a faculty-conducted ensemble. It is offered for ensemble credit and is open to any student attending the University of Arkansas having musical talent. Under the direction of Dr. Eddie W. Jones, this tradition has continued to grow and impact many of the university’s students by keeping music from the black sacred music tradition alive through performances of spirituals, hymns, traditional and modern gospel, and world music from the African tradition. During the last several years, nearly 2,000 students have participated in the Inspirational Singers.

Making a Positive Impact

With a significant number of the nation’s colleges and universities looking at graduation and retention rates, the UA Inspirational Singers was recently able to conduct some of their own research. In doing so, they were able to determine how they were contributing to the University of Arkansas’ commitment to higher retention and graduation amongst its student population. Interestingly, the research found that students who participate in UA Inspirational Singers for one or two semesters graduated college at a 64% rate. Students participating for more than two semesters graduated college at a 78% rate.

You won’t want to miss this exciting opportunity to journey through the history of gospel music as portrayed by the Inspirational Singers. Enjoy a four-course meal while being entertained with music, drumming, dance, drama, and step.