Letter from the Department
Welcome to this concert presentation by the Music Program in the Department of Performing Arts. We are delighted to have the wonderful support of great families and friends. A very special welcome goes out to our visitors from the community who may not have any affiliation to our students, and simply come to hear spectacular musical performances by these talented student musicians. We hope everyone in our audience is pleased with the musical selections; and proud of the achievement of the students involved.
The students you will hear at this performance are not music majors. They do this for their love of music and dedicate their time and energy to cultivating their passion for this art form. They are as dedicated to their studies and career pursuits as they are to this intrinsic passion they have within them. The program is fortunate to have a bounty of students with this yearning. We would not exist without them!
The Music Program and Department of Performing Arts is dedicated to providing robust opportunities in the performing arts while students are at Drexel. Our goal is to provide a positive and supportive environment for our students. It is our hope that students and audiences alike feel they are represented in the selections being performed. The human connection is most important to us all.
Thank you for attending this performance. Being here is the greatest show of support for the students, the Music Program, and the Department of Performing Arts. Thanks to the dedicated leadership of the faculty ensemble directors and staff, we are pleased to present you with the following program.
Sincerely,
Luke Abruzzo, Music Program Director Miriam Giguere, PhD, Department Head, Performing Arts
Acknowledgements
The Drexel University Gospel Choir would like to thank Dr. Miriam Giguere, Luke Abrusso and Westphal College of Media Arts and Design Staff and Faculty, Caroline Leipf, Lauren Tracy, Christopher Totora, and Mandell Theater Staff, Denise Marie Snow- Program Director for Bridges, Drexel University Gospel Choir Alumni, Rev. Gregory Ross - Senior Pastor and Rev. Beatrice E. Ross, First Lady, Vashti T. Gorham, Founder, Drexel University Department of Alumni Relations, Rev. Brian Musser – Campus minister DUBAC Program
Drexel Performing Arts would like to thank Senior Vice President for Student Success, Dr. Subir Sahu, for his continued support of Performing Arts at Drexel.
About the Ensemble
The Drexel University Gospel Choir is an open group that performs contemporary gospel music. No audition is required and all interested singers are encouraged to join. The group performs frequently in churches throughout the Delaware Valley.
About the Concert
Anchored in Praise: 48 Years in Song
Tonight we gather to celebrate nearly five decades of choral ministry — voices raised in worship, hearts united in praise, and lives transformed by the presence of God. Our theme, Anchored in Praise, reflects the enduring foundation of faith upon which this choir has stood. Through each era and every transition of life, praise has been our constant response — a sacred expression of gratitude, testimony, healing, and reverent joy.
Our repertoire this evening embodies that journey. From the triumphant declaration of This Is the Day (Anthem), we proclaim joy in the Lord with confidence and gladness. Songs of testimony such as So Good to Me and Couldn’t Keep It to Myself echo the psalmist’s call to recount God’s marvelous works, while worship anthems like High Praise and Hallelujah invite unreserved exaltation of His holy name. In He’ll Be Right There and the timeless spiritual Healing (Balm in Gilead) by Richard Smallwood, we find comfort, healing and restoration in the unfailing love of our Savior.
As Psalm 150 urges us, “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord,” we extend an invitation to enter into worship with reverence and heartfelt celebration.
May this evening’s offering of song draw us closer to the heart of God and remind us that praise has been — and always will be — the anchor of our souls.
Program
The Drexel University Gospel Choir
Ross Browne, Director
Welcome: Pastor Director Emeritus Gregory Ross
Prayer: Lois Ayitievie
History Reading: Kachi Abonu, Jonathan Stewart, Ornella Eppromo
Songs:
Jesus Christ is the Way In His Name (Prayer Chant)
Pass Me Not O Gentle Savior
This is the Day
High Praise
So good to Me
Anything is Possible
Hallelujah - I Give You All the Praise Couldn’t Keep It to Myself
Tribute to Richard Smallwood
Moderator: Minister Donte Graham
TOTAL PRAISE
Praise Dancer: Maya Brown
Balm in Gilead
Trust Me
Jesus you ’ re the Center of my Joy Anthem of Praise
He’ll Be Right There
Remarks: Founder Vashti Tina Gorham
Ensemble Members
Ross Browne
Ensemble Director
Sopranos
Promise Nkhono
Maria Ruano
Feechi Ejikonye
Lois Ayitevie
Symphony Leftwich
Rachel Peterkin
Vimbai Mabvaru
Aamiyah Brown-Harris
Ornella Eppromo
Onyekachi Abonu
Tenors
Daniel Attali
Derrick Banks
Richard Briggs
Silas Piper
Jamal Stewart
Henry Ofoegbu
Jonathan Stewart
James Ronald Worthy
Praise Dancer
Maya Brown
Altos
Raina Brooks
Dernae-Pierredernique Charlet
Tamia Chuderski
Sanaa Jackson
Nia Jenkins
India Jones
Sydney Maddox
Adwoa Osei-Akoto
Jewel Peterson
Julia Wiafe-Jackson
Victoria Rodriguez Alyssa Witmer Bass
Kwabena Anokurang-Budu
Kofi Anokurang-Budu
Grayson Owens
Leon Mwambingu
Musicians
Pianist- Robert Ladson
Keyboardists- David Carlisle and Juste Mugisha
Cellist- Raina Brooks
Electric Guitar- Silas Piper
Bass Guitar- David Henfield
Drummers- Eugene Ross, and Wyatt
Mitchell
Ross Browne Gospel Choir Director
Ross Browne is a seasoned choir director, vocalist, and soloist whose life’s work has been rooted in music, ministry, and education. A graduate of the Creative and Performing Arts High School in Philadelphia, he went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in General Studies from Drexel University. His academic and artistic foundation positioned him to seamlessly merge performance, instruction, and leadership. For over two decades, Ross has led multi-generational church and collegiate choirs, provided private instrumental instruction to students of all ages, and served as a multidisciplinary educator for elementary and middle school students. Known for his engaging, humorous, and interactive teaching style, he creates learning environments that are both rigorous and relational—where excellence and encouragement coexist.
From 2001 to 2018, Ross was an active member of the Drexel University Gospel Choir, under the leadership of the former Director Pastor Gregory Ross, where he contributed significantly to its musical and spiritual legacy. In the Spring of 2023, he earned a Master of Science in Leadership from Grand Canyon University, further strengthening his commitment to servant leadership within both educational and ministry settings.Ross’ dedication to ministering through song is matched only by his passion for imparting knowledge across generations. With gospel music as a central focus, he is devoted to preserving and sharing the rich history of African American spirituality as expressed through music— believing that through this art form, audiences and students alike can be revived, renewed, and re-inspired.
Drexel offers four different music minors:
Music: requires 26 credits, including work in Music Theory, History, private lessons, ensemble performance, and 9 credits of music electives.
Music Theory and Composition: aimed at people who are writing their own music or who would like to begin doing so. You will take courses in Music Theory, Arranging, Composition, and Digital Composition, and end with a portfolio of several completed pieces.
Music Performance: requires two years of private lesson studies with our artist faculty culminating in a recital. The Music Program will provide support for the recital venue and accompanist.
Jazz & African-American Music: includes course work in Jazz History, African-American Music, Jazz Theory, private study in Jazz performance, and ensemble work in several ensembles devoted to jazz.
Support Great Performance
Dance, Music, and Theatre are a vital, central part of the Drexel academia and student life. Donations support performing arts ensembles and programs, as well as the operation of our performing arts venues, including the Mandell Theater and URBN Annex Black Box Theater.
Drexel University Department of Performing Arts Staff
Department Head
Dr. Miriam Giguere
Program Directors
Luke Abruzzo
Music
Nick Anselmo Theatre
Jennifer Morley Dance
Administrative Staff
Ellie Ebby Administrative Coordinator
Hannah Burke Department Administrator
Caroline Leipf
Mandell Theater Managing Director
Elisha Robinson
Performing Arts Graduate Assistant
Liv Shoup
Audience Services Coordinator
Lauren Tracy
Ensemble Production Associate
Production Staff
Paul Jerue
Theatre Production Manager/Black Box Theater Technical Director
Asaki Kuruma
Costume Shop Manager
Chris Totora
Mandell Theater Technical Director
Upcoming Performing Arts Events
UNIVERSITY CHORUS & CHAMBER SINGERS WINTER CONCERT
March 15, 2026 | 3:00 PM | Great Court
LITTLE WOMEN, THE MUSICAL
May 8, 2026 | 8:00 PM | URBN Annex Black Box Theater
May 9, 2026 | 8:00 PM | URBN Annex Black Box Theater
May 10, 2026 | 2:00 PM | URBN Annex Black Box Theater
May 14, 2026 | 8:00 PM | URBN Annex Black Box Theater
May 15, 2026 | 8:00 PM | URBN Annex Black Box Theater
May 16, 2026 | 8:00 PM | URBN Annex Black Box Theater
FRESHDANCE SPRING PERFORMANCE
May 20, 2026 | 7:30 PM | Mandell Theater
May 21, 2026 | 7:30 PM | Mandell Theater
DREXEL DANCE ENSEMBLE SPRING PERFORMANCE
May 28, 2026 | 7:30 PM | Mandell Theater
May 29, 2026 | 7:30 PM | Mandell Theater
May 30, 2026 | 7:30 PM | Mandell Theater
CHAMBER STRINGS SPRING CONCERT
June 2, 2026 | 7:30 PM | Mandell Theater
MEDITERRANEAN ENSEMBLE SPRING CONCERT
June 3, 2026 | 7:30 PM | Mandell Theater
Learn more about our upcoming events: drexel edu/performingarts
