Pruit Symposium at Baylor focuses on Andraé Crouch

Baylor University’s 2023 Pruit Memorial Symposium features panel discussions, lectures, a tribute concert and a community gospel singalong highlighting groundbreaking Christian musical artist Andraé Crouch.

“My Tribute: The Life and Legacy of Andraé Crouch” is the theme of the March 15-18 symposium in Waco.

Crouch—whose compositions include “Through It All,” “Soon and Very Soon” and “My Tribute”—won seven Grammy Awards and four Gospel Music Association Dove Awards.

Pastor Sandra Crouch, his twin sister and a Grammy Award-winning musician in her own right, will be the special guest and honoree at the symposium.

Scholars representing multiple academic disciplines and musical practitioners will explore Crouch’s life, music and impact. More broadly, they will examine the cultural, social and spiritual roles Black sacred music plays in communities throughout North America and beyond.

Bishop Kenneth Ulmer, senior pastor of Faithful Central Bible Church in Inglewood, Calif., will speak on “The Theology of Andraé Crouch.”

Robert Darden, founder of the Black Gospel Music Restoration Project, and Stephen Newby, director of the Center for Worship  at Seattle Pacific University and minister of worship at Peachtree Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, Ga., will discuss “The Music and Ministry of Andraé Crouch.”

Harvard University historian Charrise Barron will present a lecture titled “The Legend and the Legacy: Tracing Andraé Crouch’s Impact on 21st Century Gospel Music.”

Key events include a community gospel sing at Second Missionary Baptist Church in Waco at 7 p.m. on March 16 and a tribute concert at 7 p.m. on March 17 in the Jones Concert Hall on the Baylor campus featuring musicians who performed with Crouch.

The community gospel sing and the tribute concert are open to the public at no charge.

There is no fee for other events, but registration is required. To register, click here.