MLKCCSD's mission is to raise monies and provide funds in the form of educational grants/scholarships for SD County college-bound students pursuing a higher education exclusively in the visual and performing arts. MLKCCSD seeks to promote arts education through performances of traditional and contemporary Negro Spirituals, anthems, gospel music, and some classical works related to American folklore. The grants awarded each year at the Awards Ceremony in June average $1500-3500 each. It is our goal to one day fund the entire 4 year college education of qualified students. To date, the Choir has awarded 87 grants totaling over $176,000. MLKCCSD's membership is a diverse group of volunteer musicians from San Diego and Riverside Counties. The Choir Director, Ken Anderson provides a historical context which interprets the music of this repetoire while MLK serves as a cultural ambassador for the USA as it travels and performs. In 2004, the Choir performed internationally in Prague, Salzburg, Venice, Florence, and Rome. In 2009, MLKCCSD toured in Denmark, Amsterdam, Hamburg, and Paris educating audiences on the impact of spirituals and gospel music. Over Memorial Day weekend 2010, our director, Ken Anderson took members of the choir to perform at Carnegie Hall's 26th Annual Anniversary Season in NYC. In 2016 the MLK Choir plans to perform in Carnegie Hall again and also in Vienna Austria. This season the MLK Choir successfully completed the recording of its 2nd CD, :Make a Joyful Noise" with most of the music written and arranged by Ken Anderson.