Tougaloo College Choir

The Tougaloo College Choir perpetuates the rich tradition of gospel music found in Jackson and the whole state. This vibrant form of music is rooted in spirituals, work songs, and the oral traditions of Black communities. Gospel music has long served as a source of personal solace or communal celebration and as a rallying cry for justice and liberation.

Gospel’s rhythmic drive, call-and-response structure, and emotive power are tools of resilience, storytelling, and resistance. Nowhere has this been more apparent than during the civil rights movement, where gospel music served as the soundtrack of struggle and hope. From church basements to mass meetings, these songs mobilized communities and uplifted spirits which helped to fuel the nonviolent resistance that reshaped America’s social landscape.

Tougaloo College, a Historically Black College and University, itself holds a central place in that history. Known as the "Cradle of the Civil Rights Movement in Mississippi," Tougaloo was a haven for organizers, thinkers, and artists during the 1960s. Its students and faculty stood at the forefront of protests, voter registration drives, and desegregation efforts—often gathering strength through music.

The Tougaloo College Choir carries forward this legacy, embodying the transformative power of gospel through performance, education, and community engagement. Under the direction of passionate leadership of Loretta Galbreath, the choir preserves traditional gospel repertoire while also exploring contemporary expressions that speak to the ongoing struggle for justice and equity.

Whether performing classic spirituals like “Wade in the Water” or powerful anthems of freedom such as “Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around,” the Tougaloo College Choir is more than a musical ensemble—it is a living testament to the role gospel plays in shaping American culture and conscience.