# Wings Over Jordan Choir

> former African-American spiritual choir

**Wikidata**: [Q19906306](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q19906306)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wings_Over_Jordan_Choir)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/wings-over-jordan-choir

## Summary
The Wings Over Jordan Choir was a renowned African-American spiritual choir founded in 1935 in Ohio, known for performing gospel music and preserving spirituals. The group gained prominence through their long-running radio series, which helped popularize African-American religious music across the United States.

## Key Facts
- **Founded**: 1935 in Ohio, United States.
- **Genres**: Specialized in spirituals (primary genre) and gospel music; produced a radio series.
- **Aliases**: Known as WOJC and Wings Over Jordan.
- **Identifiers**: VIAF ID 138636058, MusicBrainz Artist ID aec6df18-9eed-42a5-89d5-99dfea024f82, Library of Congress Authority ID n94079164.
- **Media Presence**: Featured in a radio series and documented in the *Encyclopedia of Cleveland History* (ID: w/wings-over-jordan-choir-wojc).
- **Archival Recognition**: U.S. National Archives Identifier 5669380.

## FAQs
### Q: When was the Wings Over Jordan Choir founded?
A: The choir was founded in 1935 in Ohio, United States.

### Q: What genres of music did the choir perform?
A: They specialized in spirituals and gospel music, and were known for their radio series.

### Q: Why is the choir historically significant?
A: It was one of the first African-American choirs to achieve widespread recognition through radio broadcasts, helping to popularize spirituals and gospel music nationally.

## Why It Matters
The Wings Over Jordan Choir played a pivotal role in preserving and promoting African-American spirituals and gospel music during the mid-20th century. Through their radio series, they brought these genres to a broader audience, challenging racial barriers in media and entertainment. Their work contributed to the broader cultural movement of affirming Black artistic expression and religious traditions, leaving a lasting legacy in American music history.

## Notable For
- One of the earliest African-American choirs to gain national recognition through radio.
- Pioneered the broadcast of spirituals and gospel music to diverse audiences.
- Documented in major archives, including the U.S. National Archives and the Library of Congress.

## Body
### Founding and Background
The Wings Over Jordan Choir was established in 1935 in Ohio, emerging as a key ensemble in the preservation of African-American spirituals. As a musical group, they blended religious and cultural traditions, reflecting the rich heritage of Black communities.

### Musical Style and Legacy
- **Genres**: Primarily performed spirituals, with a focus on gospel music. Their radio series further amplified these genres, reaching audiences beyond regional boundaries.
- **Cultural Impact**: The choir’s radio broadcasts were groundbreaking, offering a platform for African-American music during an era of segregation. This exposure helped bridge cultural divides and fostered appreciation for Black musical traditions.

### Documentation and Recognition
- **Archival Identifiers**: The group is cataloged in major institutional databases, including VIAF (138636058), MusicBrainz (aec6df18-9eed-42a5-89d5-99dfea024f82), and the U.S. National Archives (5669380).
- **Historical References**: Featured in the *Encyclopedia of Cleveland History* (ID: w/wings-over-jordan-choir-wojc), underscoring their regional and national significance.

### Media and Archives
- **Visual Records**: A representative image is archived on Wikimedia Commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Wings-over-jordan.png).
- **International Cataloging**: Holdings in the Bibliothèque nationale de France (ID: 14265190k) highlight their global archival presence.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. BnF authorities
3. MusicBrainz