Purposes of Gospel Choirs and Ensembles in State Supported Colleges and Universities (Report‪)‬

The utilization of music for religious purposes continues to be one of its most significant principles. There are many genres of sacred music; Hymns, Motets, Spirituals, Masses, Southern Gospel, Christian Inspirational and Black Gospel are only a few. Gospel music came into existence during the late 19th century and was a customary part of church services. The name "gospel" or good news was derived from the New Testament (Courlander, 1963). Southern black people brought their spirituals with them from the south during the great migration to northern cities. It was in these urban cities that black gospel took on the many characteristics of "urban blues", improvisatory piano, guitar and instrumental accompaniment. (Cleveland, 1981). Gospel music continued to thrive and evolve from the Historic gospel songs of Thomas Dorsey and Kenneth Morris to the Modern gospel songs of the Soul Stirrers featuring Sam Cooke, the Caravans featuring Shirley Caesar, the Dixie Humming Birds, and Mahailia Jackson. (Walker, 1979).