Ithaca College

Ithaca College 8th Annual High School Gospel Invitational Music Festival
Saturday March 31, 2012
8:15 PM in Ford Hall

Directors: Baruch Whitehead & Janet Galvan

Featuring Guest: Clinician Pastor Chantel Wright, New York City
Soloists: Krista Mckenzie, Jackson Mississippi, Melody Jones, West Virginia
Ithaca College School of Music Faculty: Ivy Walz and Marc Webster

View photos from the 2011 event.

The Ithaca College Gospel Music Festival Invitational is directed by Dr. Baruch Whitehead and Dr. Janet Galvan. Every year, students from many areas across the eastern seaboard come to participate in celebrating and demonstrating their talent and love for Gospel music. 

Since 2006, world class guest clinicians have been invited to work with these students, including Linda Hall, Anthony Leach, Raymond Wise, William and Rosephanye Powell, Donald Dumpson, Glenn Burleigh and Diane White. As a part of this festival, students participate in a weekend of rehearsals with many esteemed choral directors and guest clinicians, as well as a concert in the James J. Whalen Center for Music in Ford Hall. 

"The Gospel Music Festival is the highlight of the year for me. To see my vision of putting gospel music in its proper place as an American treasure and to see so many young people involved is more than I could have asked or imagined.  For those who aren't familiar with gospel music, the festival invites you on a journey that transcend religion, politics or race.  There is something about this music that touches everyone who is involved, both performer and listener. I believe that the festival helps us all realize the important contributions of African-Americans, music that sustained their journey and afforded them a peace of mind and spirit.  We seek to experience the totality of human emotions and spirit through the avenue of gospel music." 

- Dr. Baruch Whitehead

The concert is free and open to the public.  Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodation should contact the School of Music at 607-274-3717.