This fall marks a significant milestone for York University’s School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design (AMPD) as it marks 20 years of gospel music education at the university.
The roots of gospel music at York can be traced back to the late 1990s when a student-run choir called “Vessels of Honour” began rehearsing in Winters College. The choir’s growing popularity demonstrated the potential for formal gospel music courses. In 2005, Professor Karen Burke was hired as a full-time faculty member and created two courses: the York University Gospel Choir (YUGC) and an upper-year lecture course titled “History of Gospel Music.”
That year, York became the first in Canada to offer a gospel music curriculum. “I didn’t realize at the time how seminal my hire at York was,” says Professor and current Chair of the Music department, Karen Burke. “Little did I know that this was the first gospel music curriculum available at a post-secondary institution in Canada.”
Since its inception, the program has grown from only 20 students in its first year to a vibrant community that has had as many as 100 students enrolled each term. The YUGC has become a standout ensemble, regularly performing to sold-out audiences. One of the key contributors to its growth was Professor Corey Butler, a professional gospel musician. He not only served as the choir’s accompanist but also developed the York University Gospel Ensemble, a course dedicated to training students in gospel instrumental music.
The gospel music courses at York have not only impacted the university but also the wider community. Hundreds of students have passed through the program, many of whom have gone on to successful careers in music education, performance and beyond. Alumni now head music programs and teach at universities, colleges and high schools all around the country, a testament to the Music program’s lasting influence.
Moreover, the program has fostered connections with the broader gospel music community in Toronto, creating opportunities for collaboration and performance.
Milestones and Achievements
Over the past 20 years, the YUGC has performed at prestigious events, including the International Association of Jazz Educators’ Conference and the Ontario Vocal Festival. The choir has shared the stage with renowned artists such as jazz pianist Robi Botos and gospel recording artist Carvin Winans, further cementing its reputation as a leading ensemble in the Canadian gospel music scene.
As the program celebrates its 20th anniversary, the future looks bright. A gospel choir consisting of YUGC alumni will perform at YUGC and YUGE's April 5th concert, marking the culmination of this anniversary year.
The return of the Gospel Inter-Varsity Event (G.I.V.E.) on October 26, 2024, promises to be another highlight, bringing together gospel choirs from Humber College, the University of Toronto, and York University for a day of learning and celebration. The event will conclude with a public concert featuring a mass choir of over 150 singers.
“Gospel music is the cousin of jazz music and comes from the same musical root of spirituals,” remarks Burke. “I am grateful that York University, in its quest to remain innovative and to honour music genres in a non-hierarchical approach, has provided access to the study of gospel music for 20 years—and students are loving it!”
As we look forward to the next chapter of gospel music at York, we invite alumni, students and the community to celebrate this remarkable achievement.