The Total Experience Gospel Choir (1973-2018) was founded and led by Pastor Patrinell Wright and, though based in Seattle, the choir performed and toured extensively around the world. Wright formed a choir at Franklin High School as an alternative activity for African-American students in 1970, but when a school-funding levy failed in 1973, her position was cut and she began the community choir. Membership was initially for African-American children and teens, but adults began participating in the 1990’s and the ethnic make-up of the choir changed as the Central District community itself changed. However, learning and introducing Gospel Music to others was always the heart of the choir, which had its last performance in October, 2018 after 45 years.

In this photograph, members of the choir are gathered in a circle at Sea-Tac airport, praying before their departure for Nicaragua on a tour.

Caption information source: "Total Experience Gospel Choir (Seattle),' by Peter Blecha, HistoryLink.org Essay 10391; "Total Experience Gospel Choir's last days," The Seattle Daily Times, October 1, 2018.