Contact: Maridith Geuder
Detroit-based gospel soloist Karen Clark-Sheard will be a guest artist April 16 [Sunday] when Mississippi State's Black Voices gospel choir presents its spring concert.
The 6:30 p.m. event in Lee Hall Auditorium is the major annual concert by the 45-member student group, which has a history dating back 30 years at the university. Tickets are $12 at the door and $8 in advance.
Clark-Sheard is the youngest of the Clark Sisters, whose mother Mattie Moss Clark is considered a pioneer in gospel music. Clark-Sheard sang with her sisters until 1997, when she launched a solo career.
Her first album, "Finally Karen" was released in the fall of that year and was nominated for nine Stellar awards.
Founded in 1971 by three residence hall friends, Black Voices has since grown to nearly 50 singers chosen by annual auditions. The group maintains an active concert schedule throughout the state, and participates in a variety of civic activities such as concerts to raise funds for local food pantries.
In addition, Black Voices has presented several Chicago concerts, including one at the home church of gospel legend Mahalia Jackson.
Among selections planned for the event are "Power Belongs to God," "When the Saints Go to Worship," and "Let the Lord Minister to You."
For more information, telephone Black Voices president Willie Sanders at (662) 325-6295 or Jason Minor, the group's minister of music, at (662) 324-3300.