After months of planning, the U of A Inspirational Chorale 40th Anniversary Celebration starts this week!

The five-day celebration includes receptions, workshops, an alumni celebration chorus, major guest artists, tailgating and more.

The highlight of the events is the 40th Anniversary Celebration Concert at the Walton Arts Center on Dickson Street Friday, Oct. 20 at 7:30 p.m. The concert will, of course, include the current singers in the Inspirational Chorale, under the direction of Jeffrey Allen Murdock. Joining the stage with the current members of the Chorale will be the University Symphony Orchestra and numerous former members, alumni and friends of the long-running program.

This year's celebration will also include three amazing guest artists: Stellar Performing Artist C. Ashley Brown-Lawrence and Stellar Award Nominee Kathy Taylor will perform alongside the Chorale. Featured guest artist and multi-GRAMMY, Stellar, and Dove Award winner Richard Smallwood will perform at the concert.

Tickets for the concert are on sale now through the Walton Arts Center. Tickets start at $25. More information can be found at inspire40.uark.edu

The week's events include:

Reunion Welcome Banquet

October 18 | 6:00 p.m. Reception, 7:00 p.m. Banquet
Arkansas Alumni House
491 N Razorback Rd, Fayetteville, AR 72701

Reunion Choral Rehearsal

October 19 | 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Walton Arts Center
495 W Dickson St, Fayetteville, AR 72701

40th Anniversary Celebration Concert

October 20 | 7:30 p.m.
Walton Arts Center

The Chorale will perform at the Walton Arts Center with the University Symphony Orchestra and the 40th Anniversary Celebration Chorus. Featuring legendary gospel musician and multi-GRAMMY, Stellar, and Dove award winner Richard Smallwood. Stellar award nominee Kathy Taylor and Stellar award performer C. Ashley Brown-Lawrence will also join the stage for this momentous celebration.

Tailgating on "The Hill"

October 21 | TBD
Arkansas vs. Auburn

Worship Service

October 22 | 9:30 a.m.
Faulkner Performing Arts Center
University of Arkansas Campus
453 Garland Ave, Fayetteville, AR 72701
(for parking instructions)

The Inspirational Chorale

The Inspirational Chorale is one of the most successful diversity initiatives at the University of Arkansas. The ensemble began in 1977 when Harry Budd teamed with University administrators and students. During that time, Inspirational Singers, as it was originally called, provided an opportunity for black students at the University to express their faith and culture through music.

Under the direction of Eddie Jones the Inspirational Singers increased community visibility, participation, and musicianship. Under his leadership, the Inspirational Singers became an auditioned ensemble and a for-credit course within the Department of Music in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences. He later changed the name the Inspirational Chorale to reflect this more formal structure. Jones served as the conductor of the Inspirational Chorale for over 20 years until his untimely passing in October 2014.

The Inspirational Chorale continues to keep the black sacred music tradition alive under the direction of Jeffrey Murdock. The ensemble provides a forum where university students, regardless of ethnicity, can perform the various genres of the tradition. The Inspirational Chorale as an integrated part of the Department of Music, the academic community, and the community at large has enjoyed an illustrious reputation performing for dignitaries and heads of state. The ensemble has appeared at national and international conferences and has toured to Beijing, China, Kilkenny, Ireland, and, most recently, Kingston and Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Current Ensemble Facts

The complete Inspirational Chorale program comprises over 100 students each semester, making it one of the largest ensembles on campus.

The Inspirational Chorale members represent every college at the University of Arkansas.

The Inspirational Chorale appears in about 50 performances per year on campus, in Northwest Arkansas, and beyond.

The University of Arkansas Inspirational Chorale regularly performs at local churches in Northwest Arkansas and has appeared at the City of Fayetteville Martin Luther King Day festivities.

The program hosts the annual Arkansas Black Music Symposium, which is quickly becoming one of the premiere music festivals in Northwest Arkansas.

Recent research shows that students who participate in UA Inspirational Chorale for one or two semesters graduated college at a 64% higher rate than their peers. Students participating for more than two semesters graduated at a 78 percent higher rate than their peers.