Senegal St. Joseph Gospel Choir Comes to Houston Tonight

Direct from Dakar, Senegal, the Sengal St. Joseph Gospel Choir will make its Houston debut tonight, Nov. 7, 2014, at 8 p.m. in Jones Hall, presented by Society for the Performing Arts.

This inspiring West African choir lifts the hearts and spirits of all who hear their extraordinary voices. Founded in 1950, the Senegal St. Joseph Gospel Choir has become a symbol of peace, hope, humanity and brotherhood in its homeland, creating harmony between the music of the Catholic and Islamic cultures in Senegal. Each Sunday, the choir performs at a cathedral in the heart of Dakar's working-class neighborhood, singing unique interpretations of gospel spirituals, traditional African songs and the magnificent masses composed by its founder, Mr. Julien Jouga. The ensemble features the chorale and traditional Senegalese and represents the humanity and the fraternity that exists within the capital city and throughout the country.

Having an earnest pride for his country and its culture, Mr. Jouga (1931-2001) was not only a commandant in the Senegalese Army and a coach of the National Basketball Team of Senegal, but a fervent musician dedicated to the development of Catholic Choral singing of the diverse repertoire from the styles of Gregorian chant to polyphony inspired by the indigenous harmonic forms of Senegalese music. He was a true visionary in the development and preservation of the Senegalese Culture.

The Senegal St. Joseph Gospel Choir is now lead by its Music Director Mr. Ambroise N'Diong and is comprised of chorale members of St. Joseph's of Medina Cathedral. The music performed features the country's four national languages: Ouolof, Diola, Sérère and Portuguese Creole.

Tickets range from $28-$68 and can be purchased online at www.spahouston.org, by phone at 713-227-4772 or at the courtyard level ticket office at Jones Hall located at 615 Louisiana St. Hours of operation: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. For groups of 15 or more call 713-632-8113.

About Society for the Performing Arts - Founded in 1966, Society for the Performing Arts (SPA) is the largest independent non-profit presenting organization in the Southwest. Since its inception, SPA has sponsored more than 1,000 performances of the world's finest music, dance and theater events, in adherence to the belief that the arts are fundamental to the overall enrichment and quality of life within the community. In addition to presenting artists, SPA seeks to provide a variety of learning experiences for adults and children through master classes, lectures and special student performances, as well as build relationships between the performing arts and other interests within the greater Houston area and throughout the state of Texas.

Pictured: Senegal St. Joseph Gospel Choir. Courtesy of Columbia Artists Management Inc.

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