Total Experience Gospel Choir was organized in September 1973 at the Mt. Zion Baptist Church of Seattle. The core group represented members of the “Black Experience Gospel Choir” of Roosevelt High School and the Franklin High School Gospel Choir of Seattle. United, the choir became known as “Total Experience Gospel Choir”. When the choirs merged, the community’s children were also invited to participate. And, participate – they did! The choir’s numbers grew to 108 within the first two months, with the youngest person being 8 years old. Today the choir’s ages range from 10 to 65. Since their inception, MUCH history has taken place. The choir has become known nationally and internationally. Their travels have taken them to 36 contiguous states as well as Hawaii and Alaska – for a total of 38 states. They have performed on 5 continents and in 28 countries.
To name a few of their feats and accomplishments:
1974 – World Baptist Youth Conference – Portland, Oregon
1974 – Expo ’74 (3 times) – Spokane, Washington
1976 – Official representatives for Seattle’s Bicentennial Celebration seen on national television
1981 – Goodwill ambassadors to the Bahamas
1982 – Tours of the East and Southern United States
1983 – Hawaii
1984 – Another extensive tour of the United States
1985 – Extensive touring of the United States
1986 – Central America tour to Mexico, El Salvador, Managua & Bluefields, Nicaragua
1989 – Salt Lake City, Utah – Mormon Tabernacle
1992 – Kazan, Russia
1993 – Australia – Sydney Opera House – 1st Place in International Choral Competition
1994 – Lincoln Memorial, Washington, D. C.
1994 – Japan
1995 – Russia & Siberia
1995 – First place in 5th Annual Washington State Christian Talent Contest
1997 – Germany
1998 – St. Helena Island & Gullah Island, South Carolina
1999 – Germany
2000 – California and British Columbia
2000 – First Place in the Acapella Competition and represented the Puget Sound Area in the national competition held in California
2001 – Bermuda
2002 – Anchorage, Alaska
2004 – Japan
2005 – Paris, France
2006 - Southern U.S. Tour
2006 - Japan
2007 - Japan
2008 - Hurricane relief on the Gulf Coast - Gulfport, MS (twice)
2008 - Japan
Recordings
1976 – Shine
1979 – Lift Him Up with the late Reverend Isaac Douglas
1989 – We Remain Faithful – Charlie Murphy
1998 – We Come This Far By Faith – 25th Anniversary Celebration
1999 – We Shall Overcome with the Lunebery, Germany Gospel Happening Choir
2000 – Live At McGowans
2001 – Black Nativity
2001 – Shout Out Loud – a healing tribute for 9-11
2002 – selected by Starbucks Coffee for their Christmas CD, distributed internationally
2004 – Solo CD by Director, Pastor Pat Wright
“Drums & Voices! A Spiritual Reunion”
2005 – Total Experience Choir Sings Old School Gospel
2008 - "Seven Songs for America and One for the World" written by the Bergevin Brothers of Kirkland, WA and performed by Total Experience Gospel Choir. This CD was inspired by President-Elect Barack Obama.
Other Facts
Total Experience Gospel Choir has over 150 awards and recognitions locally, statewide, nationally and internationally. They have performed on the same billing with the late Dr. James Cleveland, founder of the 60,000 strong Gospel Music Workshop of America; Quincy Jones; Ray Charles; the Hawkins Family of “Oh Happy Day” fame; Take Six – award winning acapella group; Mormon Tabernacle Choir; Winans; Michael Bolton; Sweet Honey in the Rock; The Judds; Charlie Daniel; Pete Seeger; Steely Dan; Olympia Dukakis; Chuck Mangione; Foreigner and many others.
Total Experience Gospel Choir is a regular performer of the National Anthem at many professional sports events as well as halftime activities. They have been the featured group for eleven seasons of Langston Hughes’ play “Black Nativity” at Seattle’s Intiman Theater. Each performance is SRO for 25-30 shows per season (month of December). They are the featured voices of many local and some national commercials as well.