Established in the fall of 1975, the Purdue University Black Voices of Inspiration sponsored by the Purdue University Black Cultural Center is committed to the performance of the music of African Americans. The primary objectives of the choir are to promote African American culture through the medium of music in various genres. Their repertoire includes traditional Negro spirituals traditional and contemporary gospel music and pop-soul ballads.
The choir is diverse with a roster ranging from freshmen to graduate students representing various academic disciplines at Purdue University. By reinforcing a positive sense of cultural identity and self worth, the choir provides an outlet for spiritual and educational fulfillment for its members. Since its inception in 1975, the Purdue Black Voices of Inspiration have become a widely respected gospel choir. The choir has won several awards of excellence and toured extensively throughout the state of Indiana, visiting other university campuses, metropolitan churches, civic organizations and elementary schools. The Black Voices of Inspiration serves as goodwill ambassadors for Purdue University at many university and community events.
During the summer of 1999, the choir traveled internationally to the South Pacific, entertaining audiences in Australia, New Zealand and the Fiji Islands. The rich and forceful sound of the Black Voices of Inspiration with their inspiring interpretations of spirituals often move audiences to tears of joy. BVOI’s music builds bridges by bringing people of different religious and political convictions together to revel in the beauty of gospels and to appreciate the warm spirit of the music. The choir concentrates on presenting the music of African American composers such as William Dawson, Jester Hariston, Thomas Dorsey and James Cleveland in its performances. Notable artists such as William Warfield and Mattie Moss Clark have performed with this powerful choir.
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