Moving into its 45th year, the student-run Northwestern Community Ensemble (NCE) remains fiercely dedicated to its commitment to provide a haven and spiritual inspiration for the Northwestern University and surrounding community.

The Northwestern Community Ensemble (NCE) was founded in an impromptu manner on May 8, 1971 by Eileen Cherry (then F.M.O. Coordinator of Cultural Affairs), Clifton Gerrying III (an F.M.O. officer), and Lurell Stanley Davis (a musically talented freshman from Baltimore, Maryland) to perform at a fundraiser intended to help an NU student build cash for his legal defense fund.

After that successful spring fundraiser, the idea of organizing a “black choir” was brought forth and F.M.O.’s Cultural Affairs Committee pulled together several students during the Fall of 1971 to hold formal auditions for the first “black choir.” Soon after, N.C.E. was born and recognized as a satellite organization of F.M.O. under the coordination of the Facilitator of the Cultural Affairs Committee (Eileen Cherry) . The first years of rehearsals were held on Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Ebenezer A.M.E. Church and for years following,  NCE provided an outlet for Black students who found themselves unwelcome in various other choral groups.

Whilst established during a time of great racial distress on campus, NCE has become a haven and spiritual release for all NU students. Still rooted in the rich heritage found in gospel music and worship, NCE remains fiercely dedicated to its commitment to bring spiritual inspiration to Northwestern University and the surrounding community.

45 years later, NCE continues to be Northwestern’s premier, gospel choir. Throughout the academic year, the ensemble performs at various churches and public venues and holds two annual concerts. While the fall concert showcases local guest artists and community-based groups, the winter concert features a nationally/internationally acclaimed gospel artist alongside the NCE family; past artists include Deitrick Haddon, Kirk Franklin, Hezekiah Walker, Richard Smallwood, VaShawn Mitchell, and Byron Cage. Through both concerts, NCE is dedicated to ministering God’s praises through song to strengthen, uplift, encourage, and connect the members of Northwestern’s community and the surrounding areas.