GROUPSRaise Performing Ensembles As a
means of expanding the ministry and promoting gospel music
excellence, Raise Productions has established several performing
ensembles, all of which exemplify musical and ministry
excellence. The Raise
Performing and Ministry Ensembles, Teaching Staff, Rev. Raymond
Wise, and Rev. Frank Lane are available for Workshops, Intensive
Training Seminars, Concerts, Preaching, and other support
services. For a
complete Raise Promotional packet and listing of upcoming workshops
and concert dates contact Raise Productions at P.O. Box 247574,
Columbus, Ohio 43224, (614) 268-5056.Find biographical
information on the Raise Performing Ensembles and Ministry Groups
below.
Raise Productions Choir
Family
The Raise Kids
Raise Mass Choir The members of Raise Mass Choir represent several different churches, choirs, and denominations, who do not minister together on a regular basis, they are brought together for special events.Over the years, the various members of Raise Mass have performed background vocal for numerous national recording artists (Tramaine Hawkins, Yolanda Adams, Kim McFarland, Luther Barnes, Mimi Redd, Diana Ross, Ron Richardson, the Rinat Choir of Israel, and others), appeared in touring gospel musical productions (The Gift with Kenny Rogers, A Mother’s Love), and performed throughout the United States and in Europe.Raise Mass has appeared on radio and was featured in a one hour Christmas special entitled “A Raise Christmas.” Raise Mass Choir has performed at the Lancaster Arts Festival and served as the chorus for the world premiere of the Opera Columbus’ production of “Vanqui” and the Columbus Symphony Orchestra production of Hannibal Lokumbe’s “African Portraits.” Raise Mass has also been featured on numerous recordings. Their most recent recording entitled “It’s Time To Go” was released on Raise Records in February of 2000.Raise Mass has also recorded two CDs of hymns from the early nineteen hundreds on the Jambalaya/Tyscot Label entitled the “Bridegroom Songs I and the Bridegroom Songs II.” The choir under the direction of Rev. Raymond Wise, performs a varied repertoire of music including spirituals, choral music, hymns, traditional and contemporary gospel music.As you listen to Raise Mass Choir you will notice that they are not just a musical group but a ministering group. So open you hearts and receive a blessing as you enjoy the musical ministries of Raise Mass Choir. Raise Chorale
The Raise Chorale was
organized in January 2004 to present the world premiere concert and
recording entitled 21
Spirituals for the 21st Century.The 21 Spirituals for the
21st Century recording features 21 new concert
Spirituals plus a bonus processional and finale
arranged/composed by Dr.
Raise Tappers and Signers
Raise Musicians
Raise Center for the Gospel Arts Teaching Staff
The Raise staff makes its expertise available to churches, gospel groups and other musical organization throughout the state of Ohio and across the United States. In addition to offering weekly classes at the local Center for The Gospel Arts in Columbus, the Raise staff conducts workshops and seminars to those organizations in need of musical training in the area of gospel music. So if your church music department, community gospel organization, or school musical organization is in need of training in the Gospel Arts, the Raise Production’s Intensive Training Seminar is for you. The Raise Staff is equipped and available to provide training and they are currently offering specialized training in the areas of gospel piano, voice, sign language, children choirs, Praise and Worship, Music Ministry, Liturgical Dance, and more. Rev. Raymond Wise, President
He then went on to Denison University (Granville, Ohio) where he reorganized the Black Student Union Choir, started the Black Student Union Dance company, and earned a B.F.A. in Music. From there he went on to study Opera, Art, and German at the Institute for European Studies in Vienna, Austria. Then on to study African-American History, Music, and Dance at San Francisco State University in San Francisco, California. He also completed an apprenticeship in the business and recording of Gospel Music with the Walter Hawkins Corporation in Oakland, California. Rev. Wise was awarded a Graduate Fellowship from the Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio where earned his Masters in Music Education and Ohio Teacher's Certification. He also completed a Doctorate in Music Education at the Ohio State University. In addition Rev. Wise has appeared on radio and television, composed over 500 compositions, directed over 30 choirs, recorded 16 albums, performed with several opera singers, orchestras, dance companies, professional recording groups, and has toured extensively throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia, as a singer, dancer, pianist, composer, choral director, lecturer, and teacher. Rev. Wise began his acting career at the age of 9, when he played the role of Benjamin in a regional theater production of 'The Me Nobody Knows".He sang the role of Amahl in Menotti's "Amahl and the Night Visitors."As a teen he served as a chorus member and soloist for the Baltimore Opera Company's education outreach program. Most recently he served as the Chorus Master for the world premiere of the Opera Columbus Production of Leslie Burr's "Vanqui." He also served as Chorusmaster for the Columbus Symphony Production of Hannibal Lokumbe's African Portrait. Wise composed the musical score for children’s opera "Barefoot."Barefoot was originally composed by Wise to be performed byOpera Columbus' educational outreach program but has also been performed by The Children's Theater Company of Winston-Salem and Winston-Salem State University. Rev. Wise's goal is to use his education and experience to establish an accredited "Center For The Gospel Arts" in which "Gospel Music" and the "Gospel Arts" can be elevated, instructed, and promoted. To this end, he founded and is President of Raise Productions, a gospel production company (Columbus, Ohio). "The Center For The Gospel Arts" was opened in 1992 and provides educational training for gospel artists and the community. He has developed specialized curriculums in the gospel arts for this school, which offers 30+ classes per week, and has served over 4000 since opening in 1989. Raise has also developed performing groups which have performed throughout the United States and Europe, won Gospel Music Excellence Awards, produced musical reviews, plays, and concerts, recorded several albums.(Raise’s national recording groups are Raise Choir, Family, and the Raise Kids)In addition Raise offers support services to the gospel community such as the Gospel Musicians Referral Service, Dial-A-Concert, Raise Records, Publishing, and Management Corporation. Rev. Wise has developed and implemented courses in African-American Gospel Music and Spirituals at several universities within Ohio.He presently instructs courses in Gospel Music and conducts Gospel ensembles at The Ohio State University, Denison University, Trinity Lutheran Seminary, and the Columbus School for Girls. His knowledge of both the gospel and classical music genre has enabled him to serve as a consultant and clinician in academic and gospel music settings. This has enabled him to bridge the musical gap between the gospel and classical worlds. Of all of the accomplishments and experiences, the most outstanding aspect of Rev. Wise's life is that he is "Saved." (a born again Christian) Therefore, he is committed also to "Raising the Word of God Higher", so that lost souls will be led to Christ. As a result of this commitment, he received and accepted the call to the Gospel Ministry and was licensed to preach in 1989 by the Shiloh Baptist Church, Columbus, Ohio.Since that time many have been "saved", "healed", and "delivered", through his anointed preaching and teaching ministry. Rev. Wise currently serves as an Associate Minister at Faith Ministries Interdenominational Church, where Dr. C. Dexter Wise III is pastor. So you see Rev. Raymond Wise in not merely a Man with many talents, or a Musician with many accomplishments, or even a Man of great vision, but also an anointed Minister of the gospel. So as he comes forth to minister, his prayer and our prayer is that you will be blessed by his ministry. Rev. Frank F. Lane, Vice President
Since the age of 9 among other things, Frank has appeared on radio and television, performed throughout the United States and Europe as a member of various local and national musical organizations, been featured as a soloist on several recordings, served as director, assistant director, or guest director for over 20 local or national mass choirs. Frank was educated through the Columbus Public School System and graduated from South High School. From there he went on to study Business Administration at Franklin University. Frank was called to the gospel ministry in 1998 and is currently pursuing a Masters of Divinity at the Methodist Theological Seminary in Delaware, Ohio. In addition he completed studies in Micro Computer Programming from Columbus Para-Professional Institute.As the Center's Business Administrator he is able to utilize his academic training as well as his gospel music training and experience. Over the years Frank has been affiliated with the Gospel Music Workshop of America, a national Gospel Music organization, through which he has also received training in the Gospel Music field.In addition he was trained to instruct the Center for the Gospel Art's specialized curriculums in the Gospel Arts, and has been teaching them successfully since 1990. He helped to develop the center's Pre-School Piano classes and curriculum. Frank Instructs classes in Pre-School and Elementary Piano and Tap, Adult Tap, Gospel Directing, and Floral Arranging. For all those who know Frank Lane, they know him most as a very talented and anointed choir director and Praise and Worship leader. However, as the years go by, more and more gifts and callings are unfolding themselves. So much so that we now know Frank to as a teacher, preacher, composer, floral designer, tap dancer, business manager, and much more. So realize that as he waves his hands to direct the choirs or just waves his arms or dances in praise, there's bound to be more talents and gifts springing forth from the hands and heart of Frank Lane. |
Family
began singing together in 1990 as one of the smaller performing
groups of Raise Productions, although they have performed together
since 1986 as members of Raise Productions Choir.Family is comprised of two
husband and wife couples, the Wises (Raymond and Dawnne) and the
Lanes (Frank and Bonnie).
While the members of Family are not related by blood, they
are the “First Families” of Raise Productions, the production
company of which Raymond Wise and Frank Lane are President and Vice
President. Raymond Wise
having been blessed with so many musical compositions desired a
vehicle through which he could share more of his music.So Family sprang forth as a
vehicle through which he could share some of his compositions
written for a smaller group.
Family is also a national recording group that has released a
CD project entitled “Familiar Songs and Saying” on Sound of Gospel
Records. Family has
also appeared on radio and television, traveled extensively
throughout the United States.
The Raise Kids are comprised of 6 – 12-year-old
students from Raise’s Center for the Gospel Arts Summer Camp
Program. The Raise Kids
receive training in piano, voice, theater, dance, art, creative
writing, and public speaking at the Center For the Gospel Arts.This group presents an
original musical theater production every summer.The Raise Kids have appeared
on radio and television and were featured in a video entitled
“Singing and Signing for Children’s Choirs.”The Raise Kids recorded a CD
entitled “Gospel Songs for Children’s Voices” that was promoted and
released nationally in 2000 and “More Gospel Songs for Children’s
Voices” that was released in 2002.As a result of the CD
recording the Raise Kids were invited to produce a weekly radio
broadcast entitled “Lessons for Life.”
Raise Mass Choir was formed in 1992, as one of
the performing entities of Raise Productions, a gospel production
company in Columbus, Ohio.
Raise Mass was formed initially as a means of expanding
Raise's music ministry from its smaller groups, Raise Productions
Choir and Family, to a much larger group to allow for more community
involvement. Therefore,
the goal of Raise Mass Choir is to bring gospel singers and
musicians together from across the city of Columbus who aspire to
achieve musical and ministry excellence.
The Raise Tap Dance Ensemble taps to gospel music, while the
Raise Signers, perform deaf sign language to gospel music.
The Raise Musicians have accompanied the Raise performing
groups for over 15 years.
The Raise Musicians have been featured on several of the
Raise recordings and have also performed and recorded with numerous
local and national gospel artists.
The Raise Productions Center For The
Gospel Arts instructional staff having offered classes in the Gospel
Arts for more than 15 years, has develop specific curriculums and
specialized teaching techniques for the instruction of
African-American gospel music in both religious and academic
settings.
Rev.
Raymond Wise, a native of Baltimore, Md., is the son of C.
Dexter Wise Jr. and Rev. Julia Virginia Wise.He began his musical career
at the age of three, singing gospel music with his family singing
group "The Wise Singers."
Rev. Wise was educated through the Baltimore City Public
School System and graduated second out of class of 500 from the Paul
Laurence Dunbar Community High School in 1979. 
Rev. Frank
F. Lane, Vice President of the Center For the Gospel Arts,
Brings to the center over 20 years of experience in the Gospel Music
field and 17 years of affiliation with Raise Productions, the parent
company. Having started
his gospel musical career at the age of 5 directing and singing with
his church choir, Frank was able to get an early start at developing
a successful career in the Gospel Arts. 