Tuskegee Golden Voices to Perform at Iowa State for George Washington Carver Day

Iowa State choirs to join Tuskegee choir for collaborative concert celebrating Carver's legacy

Jan. 31, 2026 at 12:31am

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The Tuskegee University Golden Voices Concert Choir will perform at Iowa State University on February 3rd to celebrate George Washington Carver Day in Iowa. The concert will feature a collaborative performance with Iowa State's choirs - Iowa State Singers, Cantamus, Statesmen and Lyrica. The event honors the legacy of Carver, an Iowa State graduate and the university's first Black student, who later taught and conducted research at Tuskegee for 47 years.

Why it matters

The concert celebrates the shared legacy of George Washington Carver, an influential agricultural scientist and Iowa State alumnus, and highlights the rich musical tradition of the Tuskegee Golden Voices. It also provides a unique opportunity for Iowa State's choirs to collaborate with one of the country's seminal choral ensembles, exposing students and the audience to African American choral traditions and cultural expression.

The details

The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. on February 3rd at Stephens Auditorium, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. The event will feature an interactive lecture about spirituals by Golden Voices conductor Wayne A. Barr, followed by a collaborative performance between the Tuskegee choir and the four Iowa State choirs. Admission is free with a goodwill donation.

  • The concert will take place on Tuesday, February 3, 2026.
  • The Golden Voices will also perform at Iowa State's annual George Washington Carver Day of Recognition Program on Monday, February 2, 2026.

The players

Tuskegee University Golden Voices Concert Choir

A renowned choral ensemble that was launched in 1886 by Booker T. Washington, the founder of Tuskegee University, to lead vesper services and other campus events. The choir has performed at numerous significant events across the country, including the grand opening of Radio City Music Hall and the National Prayer Breakfast.

Wayne A. Barr

The conductor of the Tuskegee University Golden Voices Concert Choir, who has served in this role for more than 25 years.

Jennifer Rodgers

The assistant director of choral activities and assistant teaching professor of voice at Iowa State University, who is helping to coordinate the collaborative concert with the Tuskegee choir.

George Washington Carver

An influential agricultural scientist and Iowa State University's first Black student, who later taught and conducted research at Tuskegee University for 47 years.

Iowa State Singers, Cantamus, Statesmen and Lyrica

The four Iowa State University choirs that will join the Tuskegee Golden Voices for a collaborative performance.

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What they’re saying

“We are honored to celebrate George Washington Carver wherever he is celebrated, but the opportunity to celebrate him at his alma mater is quite unique.”

— Wayne A. Barr, Tuskegee Golden Voices Conductor

“Bringing the Tuskegee Golden Voices to Iowa State gives our choirs the amazing opportunity to collaborate and learn from one of our country's seminal choral ensembles.”

— Jennifer Rodgers, Assistant Director of Choral Activities and Assistant Teaching Professor of Voice, Iowa State University

What’s next

The concert is part of Iowa State's annual George Washington Carver Day of Recognition Program, which encourages government offices, civic organizations, schools, colleges and universities to recognize Carver's accomplishments.

The takeaway

This collaborative concert between the Tuskegee Golden Voices and Iowa State's choirs celebrates the legacy of George Washington Carver, an influential Iowa State alumnus, and provides a unique opportunity for students and the community to experience the rich musical traditions of African American choral music.