Music
WSSU music program graduate named 2025 Presser Scholar
May 29, 2025
Winston-Salem State University graduate Keyshawn Tillman of Marshville was named the 2025 Presser Undergraduate Scholar, marking the second consecutive year WSSU has received this prestigious institutional award from The Presser Foundation.
WSSU welcomes Grammy-winning artist, Rapsody, for Women’s History Month celebration
March 18, 2025
WSSU is excited to host Grammy-winning hip-hop artist Rapsody as a guest speaker for its annual Women’s History Month celebration, “Ladies First: Women on the Rise,” on Thursday, March 20, 2025, at 7 p.m. in Dillard Auditorium.
WSSU director of bands serving as president of national HBCU band consortium
February 18, 2025
Dr. Michael Magruder, director of bands for Winston-Salem State University, has been appointed president of the HBCU National Band and Orchestra Directors’ Consortium (HBCU-NBODC). He will lead the only conference designed for HBCU band directors and students for a two-year term.
WSSU to host hip-hop legend Pete Rock for Black History Month event
February 07, 2025
Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) will host legendary hip-hop artist and producer Pete Rock as the featured guest speaker for its annual Black History Month celebration. The event, titled “The Miseducation of…”, will take place at 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 13, in Dillard Auditorium on the WSSU campus.
Rams take charge at NBA HBCU All-Star Weekend
February 22, 2024
Not only did the WSSU Rams men’s basketball team win 64-47 over the Virginia Union Panthers in a game simulcast on three major networks – TNT, ESPN2 and NBA TV – but the once-in-a-lifetime experience spilled off the courts as well.
WSSU kicks off the Slater Series with 9th Wonder in celebration of 50 years of hip-hop
October 11, 2023
From the bang-bang boogie to body-ody-ody-ody, Winston-Salem’s Patrick Denard Douthit, better known as 9th Wonder, gave some lessons on hip-hip took during the inaugural Slater Series on the campus of Winston-Salem State University.
Winston-Salem State University plans first full homecoming in four years
October 05, 2023
Winston-Salem State University is planning its first full homecoming since the pandemic after the threat of Hurricane Ian canceled weekend activities last year.
A Winston-Salem State University alum is making his mark in Hollywood on and off-screen
October 26, 2022
Winston-Salem State University alum actor Chris Greene portrays an assistant chaplain in the Netflix hit true crime drama “DAHMER – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story.” In the limited series, viewers are walked through the upbringing of one of the most notorious serial killers in history, the warnings neighbors made concerning his behavior, how he lured his victims, his capture, and ultimately, his trial.
WSSU Powerhouse Red and White Cheerleaders featured in Ciaras video for JUMP
July 08, 2022
On an early spring morning, nine cheerleaders and their coaches, NeSheila Washington and Tevin Allen, arrived at the set in Los Angeles, California.
WSSU’s Red Sea of Sound to be featured on ABC
February 25, 2021
WSSU Red Sea of Sound Marching Band to be featured on ABC Network's “National Battle of the Bands: A Salute to HBCU Marching Bands” on Feb. 28.
WSSU, Wake Forest celebrates 20th anniversary of MLK Day partnership
January 21, 2020
Winston-Salem State University and Wake Forest University collaborate to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the 20 year anniversary of their partnership.
WSSU a finalist for 10 HBCU Digest Awards for 2019
June 18, 2019
For the second consecutive year, WSSU is a finalist for the two top HBCU Awards, "HBCU of the Year" and "Male President of the Year." The awards are presented by HBCU Digest.
WSSU Tradition: Anthem ‘Get Up,’ more than a song
March 27, 2019
There are few things that will bring Rams to their feet faster than hearing the Red Sea of Sound play the song “Get Up.”
Red Sea of Sound mini-doc featured at UNC's Morehead Planetarium
March 11, 2019
The documentary, "Love, the Band," focuses on the HBCU marching band experience and goes behind the scenes with the band
In Brief: WSSU to compete for Honda Campus All-Star Challenge national title
February 26, 2019
WSSU has the opportunity to win the HCASC top prize – a $75,000 institutional grant from Honda.
Singing Rams keep Faith alive
January 31, 2019
After Faith Webber '17 passed away in a car accident, Singing Rams alumni rallied to keep her memory alive. An alumni scholarship that supports choir members has been renamed in honor of Webber.
January Kudos: Faculty, staff and student awards, appointments and achievements
January 24, 2019
Read about faculty, staff and student awards, appointments and achievements for January 2019.
MLK ‘Building the Dream’ award winners named at WSSU
January 24, 2019
WSSU and Wake Forest University partnered to celebrate the life legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with events throughout the holiday weekend.
WSSU receives $600,000 Mellon Foundation grant for humanities
January 09, 2019
The three-year Mellon Foundation grant will provide the infrastructure to support faculty development and curriculum redesign for courses in art and visual studies, English, history, and music.
CNN’s Angela Rye to keynote 19th annual MLK Day address
January 09, 2019
WSSU and Wake Forest University are partnering to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with events throughout the holiday weekend.Video: You're invited to the WSSU Choirs Holiday Concert
November 26, 2018
The University Choir's annual Holiday Concert, set for Dec. 2, is one of WSSU’s biggest events. Here's a preview of the concert.
November Kudos Report: Awards, appointments and achievements
November 05, 2018
Read about faculty, staff and student awards, appointments and achievements for November 2018.
6 unforgettable moments from Homecoming 2018
October 23, 2018
Between the parties, the big game and the parade, Homecoming 2018 at WSSU had its share of big moments. WSSU News takes a look at six moments that you may have missed.
WSSU alumnus is brain behind new Carolina Film Festival
September 28, 2018
Eight questions with ... Oliver Crooms IV '07, the founder and president of the inaugural Carolina Film Festival, which will be held in Charlotte on Oct. 13.August Kudos: Faculty, staff and student awards, appointments and achievements
August 30, 2018
Read about faculty, staff and student awards, appointments and achievements for August 2018.
Red Sea of Sound drum majors ready for new challenges
August 24, 2018
The 2018-19 Red Sea of Sound drum majors are ready to hit the field in the style that fans expect from WSSU’s band.
Department of Music presents faculty recital series
August 22, 2018
The Department of Music at WSSU is highlighting the talents of its faculty through a new faculty recital series.
Singing Ram finds her strength through song
May 02, 2018
WSSU senior Jessica Johnson, who struggled as a child due to a speech impediment, has performed on some of the biggest stages as a student at WSSU.
WSSU’s Singing Rams stand for social justice
April 24, 2018
WSSU’s choral ensembles are helping to bring people together through a yearlong focus on social justice and hope.
Singing Rams prepare for eight state tour
February 27, 2018
WSSU's Singing Rams are hitting the road for spring, with 12 stops in eight states starting on March 9.
Help send Red Sea of Sound back to the Honda Battle of the Bands
October 05, 2017
Fans can help send WSSU's Red Sea of Sound marching band to the 16th annual Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase.
Video: Students create 'Singing Rams Hype Jam'
September 08, 2017
A new hype song, co-written by five WSSU students, is letting people know the Singing Rams are on the map, one student says. Check out their music video.
Video: Red Sea of Sound ready for the season
August 24, 2017
We preview WSSU's Red Sea of Sound for 2017-18. The season starts on Aug. 26, 2017, with an appearance at the Queen City Battle of the Bands in Charlotte.
