---

The Kentucky State University Gospel Ensemble will host its annual Fall Extravaganza Sunday, Nov. 19 at 5:30 p.m. in the Carl H. Smith Auditorium of Bradford Hall on the University’s campus.

This event is in partnership with the Kentucky State University Division of Fine Arts and the Frankfort Arts Foundation.

The Frankfort Arts Foundation will present the Dr. Leon Richard Memorial Scholarship to a Kentucky State student at the event.

“With a new sense of pride and ownership ringing on the hill at Kentucky State, the Gospel Ensemble is adding their voice with a night promised to inspire and encourage all in attendance,” Mario J. Radford, director of the KSU Gospel Ensemble, said.

This year’s theme for the Fall Extravaganza is Favor of God. Working with director Radford is guest director CJ Akins. Troy Culbreth from Cincinnati, Ohio will serve as a special musical alumni guest.

Radford is a Kentucky State and gospel ensemble alumnus. Dr. Leon Richard was the Kentucky State Gospel Ensemble faculty advisor, Frankfort Arts Foundation president and Kentucky State professor of high brass. Under Richard’s direction, the Gospel Ensemble performed at the Kentucky gubernatorial inauguration, the governor’s prayer breakfast and other legislative and national events.

The choir has also performed with notable artists and organizations such as Babbie Mason, Ricky Dillard, the Louisville Orchestra, the Frankfort Arts Foundation and the Lexington Philharmonic.

In 1998, under the direction of Richard’s, the choir was selected as grand prize winners of the 1998 Crème of Nature HerbaRich Gospel Choir Competition. As a result, the choir traveled to New York City for a recording session with national gospel recording artist Kurt Carr.

Radford joined as the director upon Richard’s passing in 2015.

According to University officials, the Gospel Ensemble was organized during the mid-1960s and is now an official academic course at the University. Student membership in the Gospel Ensemble is open to all students of Kentucky State.

General admission is $5. Student admission is $2. For more information, contact Mario J. Radford at (502) 597-6053 or mario.radford@kysu.edu. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear and support the Kentucky State University Gospel Ensemble.