The Nicholls State University Concert Choir and several other Nicholls voice students will be performing in the annual “Celebration of the Negro Spiritual” at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Vacherie tonight.

The concert will feature several vocal soloists from different schools across South Louisiana and Mississippi will be performing in what will be an evening of historical Negro spiritual music.

Under the direction of Kenneth S. Klaus, director of Choral Activities and Gloria B. Callais endowed professor of music, the Concert Choir will be performing “Cross Cry” by Gilbert M. Martin, “Deep River” by Howard Helvey and “Battle of Jericho” arranged by Mark Hayes. The Alcorn State University Men’s Chorale will also perform.

Nicholls students that will be performing solos are either from the studios of Klaus or Valerie Jones Francis, assistant professor of music, the founder and director of the event. The concert will also feature guest artist, Thibodaux native and Nicholls Alum George Bell. Francis will cap off the night performing “Calvary,” arranged by Betty Jackson King.

On Feb. 7, 2007 congress passed a bill making “The Negro Spiritual” a National Treasure. It also recognizes African American Spirituals as a genre of music that has become significant segments of American music. Spirituals express the gratitude, honor and recognition of enslaved African-Americans in the United States.

The concert is free, open to the public and will begin at 7:30 this evening.