University Park, PA -- Essence of Joy will perform for the University Libraries' Martin Luther King Day Celebration on Monday, January 21, 1:30 to 2:00 p.m. in the Circulation Lobby, 103 Pattee Library. This will also be the first public presentation of the room's wonderful acoustics—its high masonry walls and limestone floors mimic the depth of sound of a grand cathedral.

Essence of Joy is one of nine choral ensembles in Penn State's School of Music. Organized in November 1991, the choir performs sacred and secular music from the African/African American traditions. The choir includes undergraduate and graduate students from many academic and musical programs at Penn State. Essence has performed throughout Pennsylvania as well as New York City, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, Washington, DC and Chicago, Illinois. It presented its first European tour in June 2001, with performances in Kracow, Poland and Prague, Czech Republic.

Essence has two compact disc recordings, The Soul of Essence and The Spirit of Essence, which feature settings of African American spirituals and traditional and contemporary gospel recorded between 1996–1998.

Anthony Leach, Ph.D., is music director of Essence of Joy. He is assistant professor of music and music education in Penn State's School of Music, where he also conducts The University Choir, supervises the Partnership for Music Teacher Excellence Program, and teaches courses in music education. He also serves as minister of music and organist at University Baptist and Brethren Church in State College, Pennsylvania.

The event is sponsored by the University Park Libraries Employee Association (UPLEA) and the Libraries Dean's Office and Diversity Committee, which aims to promotes a positive attitude toward diversity and inclusion within the University Libraries and creates and maintains a welcoming and respectful environment for all library employees and patrons.

For more information, contact Sulane Breon, UPLEA Service Committee, at sab@psulias.psu.edu or 814-863-2135.