Everrett Parker
Gospel Choir
Everrett
Gordon Parker (Director of Gospel Choirs) conducts the LSU Gospel Choir,
also known as "The Soul of Louisiana," and a select chorale,
Ebony Renaissance. Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, he received the Bachelor
of Music degree in Piano Performance with a Vocal Minor from Southern
University in 1981, state certification in Vocal Music Education in 1989,
and the Master of Education degree in Education Administration from Southern
University in 2000.
He is a choral protégé of the late Dr. Aldrich W. Adkins, Most Eminent Professor, Virginia State University, and taught preschool through high school choral and instrumental music for 15 years. Over a 22 year span, Parker served as music director for First Baptist Church, Vacherie, LA, Greater New Guide Baptist and Shiloh Missionary Baptist Churches of Baton Rouge, LA. In 1976, Parker served as assistant to the producer, rehearsal accompanist and coach of Baton Rouge's Bicentennial production of Porgy and Bess. In 1996, the LSU Gospel Choirs toured France, playing to sellout audiences in more than five cities, including Paris.
Parker hails from generations of musicians who possessed formal and/or traditional music training, and who for most of the 20th century, proudly performed the music of Afro-Americans. His grandfather and all of his grandaunts were lifelong musicians. Parker has taught and performed gospel music and spirituals for more than 36 years. He studied sacred music at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and has consulted and conducted workshops in the authentic performance of African-American music across Louisiana, the United States, France and Italy. He is a member of MENC, LMEA, ACDA, LACDA and former member of the National Faculty of the Gospel Music Workshop of America. Parker is into his 5th year as the chief music director and parrain of the Gospel Train Workshop of France (see: www.gospeltrainacademy.com). This former executive director of VSA arts of Louisiana is also an active member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and Mu Phi Epsilon International Music Fraternity.
Everrett Parker, Director of the Gospel Choir
School of Music
Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, LA 70803-2504
Voice: 225/578-9266
Fax: 225/578-2562
E-mail: eparker@lsu.edu
