The UR Gospel Choir performed at its annual Gospel Night last Sunday at 8 p.m. It was a showcase of faith-inspired talent that seemed to resonate throughout Strong Auditorium and out into the chilly November night. Unlike many other UR ensemble performances, the Gospel Choir concert welcomed audience participation, which contributed to the overall relaxed, yet energetic, feeling of the evening.
Mistress of Ceremony and junior Myra Mathis expressed in her opening prayer that she wished the performance would “inspire, uplift and encourage” audience members. Clearly, the performers accomplished precisely this. By the end of the first song, every audience member was standing, swaying and clapping, reciprocating the joy and energy that was pouring from the stage. Surprisingly, hearing Mathis and other performers announce the upcoming songs, one would never imagine the incredible voices that the gospel singers have. Their quiet, soft-spoken speaking voices transformed into strong, confident prayer that projected all the way to the back of the auditorium as they worshiped through song.
But song wasn’t the only venue through which faith was communicated.
“Artistic expression is also a part of our praise,” Mathis explained. Following the Opening Prayer and the Praise and Worship, there was a liturgical dance performed by junior Ashley Anderson. Her dance portrayed a beautiful choreography of emotion that was expressed through her solid but fluid movement around the stage. It was obvious that she had put a lot of her heart and spirit into the dance.
Following the liturgical dance, there were two solo performances. The first was a vocal solo by community member Lewis Banks which included a stylized version of “Amazing Grace” and the repeated lyrics “I’m in love with Jesus, He’s in love with me.” The second solo was performed on the soprano saxophone by community member Judah Sealy and was accompanied by the gospel band which had been providing most of the instrumentation throughout the evening. Both soloists proved to have an excellent range with either their voice or their instrument, and their performances evoked much encouragement and praise.
Finally, the UR Gospel Choir took the stage and was immediately welcomed with heartening cheers from the audience, which included UR students as well as many community members. The choir was student-led and conducted, showing the enormous amount of dedication devoted to the group. And once again, through the entirety of the Gospel Choir’s time on stage, the audience was alive with clapping and shouts of concurrence to the lyrics. The lyrics were also provided in American Sign Language by choir member, soloist and sophomore Jim Spangler.
The concert advocated the spirit of harmony, which was prominently represented by the Gospel Choir – a very diverse group in and of itself. Many of the community members who attended did not feel confined or obligated to sit at the back of the auditorium. Most were congregated with the other University students who were huddled together in the front rows. It was clear that every audience member felt touched by the music and prayer that was being imparted on stage.
Sunday night’s performance proved that you do not have to be devout in order to appreciate the spirit of what is expressed through gospel singing. Every performer emanated an infectious energy that encouraged a message of faith and optimism. It was a concert that invited everyone to share in an evening of hope and reinvigoration.
Rankin is a member of the class of 2010.
