#ThrowBackThursday - Gospel Music in Seattle

With the return of the production of Black Nativity to Seattle coming this December, today we take a look at the history of Gospel music in the Pacific Northwest. Join the President of the Black Heritage Society of Washington State, Stephanie Johnson-Toliver, for this week’s edition of Throw Back Thursday.

“Black music is rooted in truth,” Johnson-Toliver said. 

She tells the story of Pastor Pat Wright, known as the First Lady of Seattle Gospel. Pastor Wright had numerous accomplishments, but one of her most proud was leading The Total Experience Gospel Choir for over 40 years. 

She immersed herself in lifting Black youth to provide them with experiences and opportunities that they were missing. Before founding Total Experience, she led student choirs in Seattle Public Schools. In 1973, the school levy failed, and school choir leader positions were cut but it didn’t cut the enthusiasm she and the students had for singing and performing together. A group began to form outside the school and re-emerged as the Total Experience Gospel Choir.

Hear about Pastor Pat Wright and the rich history of Gospel music in Seattle in this week’s Throw Back Thursday.