History of the Raise Productions Choir
Founded in 1986, Raise Productions Choir began as a special ensemble created to perform at the Choir Revival City-Wide Festival. Following the success of that inaugural performance, the members established Raise Choir as a permanent ministry dedicated to excellence in gospel music and community outreach. From its inception, Raise Choir brought together singers from a wide range of churches, choirs, and denominations, united by a shared mission to praise God through music.
Under the direction of Dr. Raymond Wise, Raise Choir developed a distinctive and diverse repertoire that includes Negro spirituals, traditional hymns, choral masterworks, and both traditional and contemporary gospel music. This musical versatility has opened doors to performances in a variety of prestigious settings throughout the United States and internationally, including appearances in Germany, Portugal, Austria, and Romania.
Over the years, Raise Choir has become widely recognized for both its musical excellence and ministry impact. The choir has appeared on radio broadcasts and was featured in the one-hour television special A Raise Christmas. Raise has also collaborated with major arts organizations and productions, including performances at the Lancaster Festival and participation in world-class theatrical and symphonic works. The choir served as the chorus for the world premiere of Opera Columbus production of Vanqui, participated in the Columbus Symphony presentation of Hannibal Lokumbe’s African Portraits, and performed as the Ethiopian Chorus in Opera Columbus’ production of Aida. In recognition of its artistic and cultural contributions, Raise has received numerous honors, including Governor’s Awards for Musical Excellence, Gospel Music Excellence Awards, and the Kingdom Image Award.
Members of the Raise family have also shared their talents on a national stage, performing background vocals for renowned artists such as Tramaine Hawkins, Yolanda Adams, Diana Ross, and Kenny Rogers, among many others. Raise members have additionally appeared in touring gospel stage productions, further extending the organization’s influence in gospel music ministry and performance arts.
Raise Choir’s recording ministry has also played a significant role in its legacy. The choir released its debut album, Jesus You Brought Me, on Raise Records, followed by the CD New on Sound of Gospel Records. Additional projects included A Raise Christmas (1999), It’s Time To Go (2001), featuring Raise Mass Choir and Raise National Mass Choir, and the hymn collections Bridegroom Songs I and Bridegroom Songs II on the Jambalaya/Tyscot label. In 2004, Raise released the critically acclaimed a cappella spiritual recording 21 Spirituals for the 21st Century, followed by Classic Raise: The Best of Raise Choir in 2005, a compilation celebrating decades of music ministry. The organization continues its musical journey with ongoing recording and performance projects that carry forward its mission of “raising gospel music higher.”
ABOUT THE MINISTRY
The main reason for such versatility within Raise's musical repertoire is for the sake of the ministry, for it is Raise's goal to reach "ALL" men for Christ. They not only aim to reach a segment of the community but the "total" community. That is why they are called a "Total Choir." They believe in "Total Music" and "Total Ministry," which has allowed them to go through many doors to minister that might otherwise be closed if they were not as versatile.
While Raise has an educational focus, all of the Raise performing groups are ministering groups that aim to make a difference wherever they go. They consider their concerts to be "musical revivals" rather than mere concerts, for their unique musical ministry includes singing and personal witnessing, testimonies, songs introductions, prayer cell groups, alter calls, and one-on-one counseling. As a result of their obedience and faithfulness to ministry, literally hundreds of souls have been saved, healed, and delivered at their concerts.
So as you listen to this recording, we encourage you to meditate on the words, look up the scriptures provided upon which the songs are based, and then open up your heart to receive a blessing from God. We believe that your life will be changed.
ABOUT THE MUSIC
All of the music performed by Raise Mass Choir and Raise National Mass Choir is written and/or arranged by Raymond Wise except some of the standard choral literature performed by the Choir. Raymond Wise's music is designed to bridge the gap between the traditional and contemporary music worlds and the academic and gospel music world. His music combines older and familiar gospel songs and themes with news and contemporary beats while incorporating classical music themes and performance techniques to Gospel Music. The greatest blessing of all is that his music is anointed, word-based, and contains solid encouragement messages for the listener.
The Raise Choirs
As Raise Productions continued to grow, it expanded beyond a single choir into a broad community-based arts and ministry organization that nurtured talent across generations. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, the Raise Productions family established several additional performing groups and ministries, including:
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Raise Family (1990)
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Raise Teen Theater (1991)
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Raise Mass Choir (1992 – First Church of God)
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Raise Signers, Dancers, and Tappers (1992)
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Raise Kids (1992–2008)
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Raise Mass Male Chorus (1993)
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Raise National Mass Choir (1993 – Bibleway Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ; 1995 – East High School; 1999 – Northwest Presbyterian Church)
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Raise Family Mass Choir (1995 – Married couples)
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Raise Chorale (2004)
These expanding ministries allowed Raise Productions to engage children, youth, adults, and families through music, theater, dance, sign ministry, and community performance opportunities. Many of these groups also recorded CD projects and performed throughout the city, state, and nation, helping to establish Raise Productions as a lasting and influential cultural institution within the gospel music community.
In 2026, Raise Productions celebrates 40 years of ministry, music, and community impact. More than simply a musical organization, Raise has remained a ministry devoted to inspiring, uplifting, and uniting audiences through the power of gospel music. For four decades, Raise Productions has continued to touch lives, develop artists, and preserve the rich traditions of gospel and sacred music for future generations.