Virginia State University Concert Choir To Perform At Historic Inauguration Of Virginia’s First Female Governor

VSU students will perform during Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger’s Inauguration Prayer Breakfast, becoming the second VSU ensemble to perform during Inauguration Week.

Virginia State University is proud to announce that the VSU Concert Choir will perform at the inauguration of Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger, Virginia’s first female governor, on Saturday, January 17, marking a historic moment for both the Commonwealth and the University.

Approximately 35 students will perform a single musical selection during the private prayer breakfast, which will take place at 8:00 a.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Richmond, VA. The event is not open to the public and will not be livestreamed.

The invitation for the Concert Choir came after a member of Governor Spanberger’s administration heard the ensemble perform on social media and reached out to include them in the inaugural proceedings.

“To be invited to perform during the inauguration of Virginia’s first female governor is both an honor and a powerful affirmation of our students’ talent and hard work,” said Dr. Craig Robertson, Director of Choral Activities, Assistant Professor of Music, and conductor of the VSU Concert Choir. “This moment places our students at the center of history and highlights the Greater excellence that defines Virginia State University.”

The VSU Concert Choir, with a legacy spanning more than 100 years, has built a reputation for musical excellence through performances at national conferences and other prestigious engagements.

Last year, the concert choir participated in a week-long residency at the University of California, Los Angeles, exploring spiritual and gospel music traditions. The ensemble will continue its national presence with a performance at the Maryland Music Educators Association Annual State Conference on February 21, 2026, in Baltimore, MD.

A separate VSU choral ensemble, the VSU Gospel Chorale, performed at a prayer breakfast held at the Greater Richmond Convention Center on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, with Governor Glenn Youngkin and Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger in attendance.

These achievements reflect Virginia State University’s continued commitment to fostering student talent while providing transformative opportunities that place its students on historic platforms.