Rocky Mount, N.C.—North Carolina Wesleyan College is pleased to announce the receipt of an anonymous gift that will enable the College to strengthen its choral music program. The gift, valued at $500,000, will provide for choral music scholarships and operational costs of the choral program.

“This is a wonderful gift, and the timing of it couldn’t have been better,” said Wesleyan president Dr. Ian Newbould. “The gift corresponds with Wesleyan’s heightened emphasis upon excellence. As we continually elevate our standards for admission, this gift will make it possible for us to attract students with choral abilities.
 

“The College also looks forward to sharing the benefits of the choral music program through public performances much like those that were popular in times past, when the choir offered something that appealed to all members of an audience,” Newbould said. “And today, Wesleyan’s Dunn Center for the Performing Arts is an ideal place for a large choral group to practice and perform.”

Wesleyan students have been involved in choral music ever since the College opened in 1960. The very first teaching faculty member hired was Dr. William G. Sasser, who served as professor of music and head of the Music Department until his retirement in 1985. Sasser formed and directed The Wesleyan Singers, Wesleyan’s first student organization, which included 92 students in the early years.

In the 1960s, selected Wesleyan Singers made up the Chapel Choir, which in some years traveled over 2,000 miles, representing the college at rallies, Methodist district conferences, and concerts. Four years ago, Wesleyan’s Gospel Choir placed first in the Battle of High School and College Choirs, competing against larger schools including East Carolina University and Duke. For the past two years, the choir has been under the direction of Gene Heavner.

“We are excited that Wesleyan now has this,” Newbould said. “We believe that the generous and thoughtful gift that makes this possible will, in turn, benefit not only the Wesleyan campus and the local community but all of Eastern North Carolina.”