N.C. A&T Alumni Times

N.C. A&T Alumnus and Director Reflects on Award-Winning Gospel Choir’s 50th Anniversary

For more than 30 years, the award-winning North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University Fellowship Choir has been under the direction of Ronald Jones ’87. On Sunday, April 28, the choir is set to celebrate its 50th anniversary at a free, live recording at 6 p.m. at Corbett Sports Center. The anniversary will include alumni and current students.

“Most of my adult life has been focused on the gospel choir. When I was a sophomore, I joined the choir and after graduation in 1987, I came back to direct the choir in 1989,” said Jones. “I never imagined I would be directing the choir 30 years later, but it was the best decision I made for my career.”

In addition to the live recording, the choir will host a bike ride on Friday, April 26, with current members, alumni and the Restored Order at 8:30 a.m. starting at BB&T Stadium. On Saturday, April 27, the choir will host an invitation-only, 50th Anniversary Banquet in the Student Center ballroom.

The N.C. A&T Fellowship Gospel Choir was initially conceived and organized in 1969, by Albert Smith and Vernon Hatley, director of athletics and president of the Baptist Student Union respectively. They envisioned the choir as an opportunity for North Carolina A&T students to maintain the religious traditions of their ancestors through spiritual and gospel songs. Over the years the choir has added dimension to the religious life of the university and Greensboro community.

“For 30 years, I have witnessed the evolution of the students that come into the choir. The students today are more talented due to their access to more music and technology,” said Jones. “Over the years, I had to learn a different approach on how to reach them in order for me to be more effective as a director.”

Operating under the Division of Student Affairs, the Fellowship Gospel Choir supports the United Christian Fellowship by providing music for services and activities on campus, throughout the community, state and nation.

Since inception, the choir has participated in several competitions across the country winning numerous first place awards including most outstanding song, most outstanding attire, most outstanding processional, most outstanding student director and most outstanding choir.

The upcoming anniversary concert is not the first time the choir has ventured into recording. Since 1985, the choir has recorded five albums and under Jones’ leadership, the choir has recorded three albums.

“I would love to see Corbett Sports Center filled to the top with students, community members and alumni supporting the choir for the 50th anniversary,” he said. “There are people coming from overseas to be a part of this celebration.”

The choir's stellar reputation has afforded members the liberty to travel extensively and the opportunity to participate in several of the university's official ceremonies. During both the fall and the spring semesters, the Fellowship Gospel Choir embarks upon a multi-city tour to showcase their extraordinary talents.

For free tickets for the live recording, they are available through the University Ticket Office in Brown Hall. The doors will open for the event at 5 p.m.

To support the N.C. A&T Fellowship Gospel choir through a monetary gift, please donate by texting “GC50” to “41444.”