‘Tis the season to be giving all the glory and praise! Howard University & Florida A&M University’s Gospel Choirs, in conjunction with Warner Brothers Pictures are celebrating 12 Days of #TheColorPurple countdown with melodic renditions from the movie’s soundtrack.
HGC shared their rendition of “I’m Here“, (inspired by Fantasia’s performance as Ms. Celie) to their Instagram page his past Friday.
“We are so excited to join with our friends at @wbpictures and our #HBCU family across the nation to showcase our #PurpleLove by reimagining our favorite songs from the movie.”
Established in 1968, the Howard Gospel Choir is comprised of students, alumni, and community members with a legacy of five decades of musical excellence.
Some of their most noted alumni include Richard Smallwood and Coré Cotton (from Sounds of Blackness), Elbernita “Twinkie” Clark of the Clark Sisters, and R&B star Ángela Winbush. The choir also travels extensively throughout the United States and most recently headlined tours to Italy and Slovakia [Europe].
As one of the most recognized college gospel choirs, HGC is a considered a trailblazer for all Gospel music ministries across collegiate campuses nationwide.
The following day, the FAMU concert gospel choir shared their rendition of “I’m Here” to their Instagram page.
“We are so excited to be partnering with @wbpictures in celebrating the premiere of their bold, new take on @thecolorpurple.”
The Florida A&M Gospel Choir was established in 1957, during a time when they did not have the full support nor spaces to practice or hold concerts. Mother Frances Stallworth, an early member of the choir, shared her experience in April 2022.
“Local churches came to our rescue and permitted us to practice in their edifices,” Stallworth said.
With the help of three local churches the choir went on to perform with Gospel music legends such as Rev. James Cleveland, the Clark Sisters and Shirley Caesar. The choir also had the opportunity to record an album with Twinkie Clark in 1996.
Today, the FAMU Gospel Choir is officially a part of the university’s music department and now holds an academic credit.
HU and FAMU gospel choirs’ have certainly set the standard. And it’s giving EXCELLENCE across the board! What HBCU gospel choir would you like to see give a music rendition for The Color Purple next?
Click to watch HU & FAMU‘s full choir performances.
The Color Purple movie premieres in theaters on Christmas Day!
