The Faulkner Performing Arts Center will host a screening of Gospel, a documentary exploring the origin of Black spirituality through sermon and song, in partnership with Arkansas PBS at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 2. The U of A Music Department's Inspirational Chorale will be performing in conjunction with the event, both before and after the screening.

This event is free and open to the public. Reserve your tickets.

Gospel is a four-hour docuseries that explores the rich history of Black spirituality through sermon and song from executive producer, host and writer professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. It reunites acclaimed Harvard scholar and documentarian Gates with directors Stacey L. Holman and Shayla Harris, who recently teamed up on Making Black America: Through the Grapevine.

From the blues to hip-hop, African Americans have been the driving force of sonic innovation for over a century. Musical styles come and go, but there is one sound that has been a constant source of strength, courage and wisdom from the pulpit to the choir lofts on any given Sunday: the Gospel.

In Gospel, Gates, the Alphonse Fletcher University Professor at Harvard University and director of the Hutchins Center for African and African American Research, speaks with dozens of clergymen, singers and scholars about their connection to the music that has transcended its origins and now spreads "the good word" all around the world. The series features interviews with notable names including Dionne Warwick, U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, Rev. Otis Moss III, Professor Michael Eric Dyson and awe-inspiring musical performances of Gospel favorites "Can't Nobody Do Me Like Jesus," "Total Praise" and others from talents including The Belle Singers, Cory Henry, Celisse and more.

About Arkansas PBS: Arkansas PBS, Arkansas' only statewide public media network, empowers learners of all ages by educating, informing, entertaining and inspiring communities. Arkansas PBS serves as a daily and essential resource for Arkansans by creating, sharing, celebrating and driving conversation around Arkansas stories and classic, trusted PBS programs through multiple digital platforms, including livestreaming at myarpbs.org/live, on-demand services and YouTube TV, and the distinct channels Arkansas PBS, Arkansas PBS Create, Arkansas PBS KIDS, Arkansas PBS WORLD and Arkansas PBS AIRS on SAP. Members with Arkansas PBS Passport have extended on-demand access to a rich library of public television programming. Arkansas PBS depends on the generosity of Arkansans and the State of Arkansas to continue offering quality programming. Additional information is available at myarkansaspbs.org. Arkansas PBS is broadcast on KETS (Little Rock), KEMV (Mountain View), KETG (Arkadelphia), KAFT (Fayetteville), KTEJ (Jonesboro), KETZ (El Dorado), KETS (Russellville), KETS (Forrest City), KETS (Gaither) and KETS (Yancy).

About the Faulkner Performing Arts Center: The Jim & Joyce Faulkner Performing Arts Center is a 500+ seat state of the art venue dedicated to providing a community-centered approach to the performing arts. In addition to hosting acclaimed artists and performers, the Faulkner Center is also home to the University of Arkansas music department's large ensembles. With an impressive offering of renowned performers and culturally relevant events, the Faulkner Center excels in its mission of contributing to education and excellence, helping build a new generation of artists and patrons.

About the University of Arkansas Department of Music: The Department of Music, a part of the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, offers training in performance, music education, composition, music theory, musicology, conducting, jazz, and music industry studies.

The University of Arkansas is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music and home to over 300 music students and 50 faculty members in the Department of Music. Thousands of students from the campus community participate in the department's 30-plus ensembles including the acclaimed Razorback Marching Band, the Schola Cantorum, Inspirational Chorale, and the University Symphony Orchestra. Through generous support from alumni and friends, the Department of Music became an All-Steinway School in 2010.

The Department of Music faculty and students present hundreds of performances per year, on and off campus. All large ensembles perform at the 600-seat Jim and Joyce Faulkner Performing Arts Center. Small ensembles, solo and chamber concerts, and guest artists are featured at the 200-seat Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall. University of Arkansas performers are also frequent performers at the Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History in Fayetteville, Crystal Bridges of American Art in Bentonville, and the Fayetteville Public Library.

Department faculty enjoy appointments in many professional ensembles including the Arkansas Philharmonic, Symphony of Northwest Arkansas, Fort Smith Symphony, Artosphere Symphony, and Opera Fayetteville.