The Gospel Choir held a concert in Munson Chapel on Sunday, Sept. 28 to pay homage to Gospel Music Heritage Month. The choir, along with other special guests, performed songs by gospel singer Fred Hammond to a packed auditorium filled with family, friends and APU students.
Every year the choir focuses on one particular genre or artist in the gospel music world. Last year, it performed black spirituals and gospel songs, while another year the singers celebrated the music of Kirk Franklin.
“I want the gospel choir to be familiar with gospel artists of today and of the past. Fred Hammond is more modern, more now,” said Choir Director Letitia Ugwueke. “I try to switch it up every year so they’re getting some of the old, some of the new.”
This is the fifth year that Ugwueke has put on a concert in honor of Gospel Music Heritage Month, officially declared in 2008 by Congress.
Texas Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, with the help of then-Arkansas Congresswoman Blanche Lincoln, introduced the resolution on June 16, 2008. It passed both houses of Congress the same day.
Sophomore psychology major Camille Smith, a soprano in Gospel Choir, feels proud that there is such an occasion celebrated at APU.
“I wish there was more awareness of it, but I’m really happy that there is a month to let people know that there is something different than what you listen to every day or every time you go to chapel; there’s a different way to worship God,” Smith said.
The concert began as the Gospel Choir piled on stage, the ladies dressed in their black-laced dresses and red heels, and the men in all black with red handkerchiefs folded in their front pockets.
After an opening prayer, the choir began to sing the first Hammond song of the night, “Let The Praise Begin.” The Abundant Living Family Church Worship Team joined the choir for the second and third songs, “You Are My Daily Bread” and “Lord of the Harvest.”
Both groups left the stage as members of the Gospel Music Workshop of America – San Bernardino Chapter took their positions. The group started with the song “He’s Not Just A Man,” then proceeded with “Jesus Be A Fence.”
Gospel Music Workshop of America San Bernadino Chapter performs Photo credit: Camille Frigillana
The first half of the concert ended with a piano and keyboard medley performed by junior english major Maurice Johnson and senior vocal performance major David Manuel, both tenors in the Gospel Choir.
During the 15-minute intermission, the audience was encouraged to make donations through a bake sale set up outside Munson Recital Hall by members of the choir. The sale included various homemade goods, such as lemon bars and lemonade.
At another table, guests had the option of participating in a silent auction where they could bid on baskets made by members of the choir. Baskets varied in content from chocolates to school supplies. Money raised from both these sales goes toward raising funds for the singers to tour.
After the intermission, Ugwueke introduced Zion, a group consisting of members from the main Gospel Choir who get to perform at different churches and high schools throughout the year.
Zion was accompanied by Yvonne “V” Reyes, a Christian and gospel singer who currently has two albums out. She and Zion both sang “No Weapon” before performing “Old School Mix.”
For the next song, the whole Gospel Choir returned to the stage to perform “You Are The Living Word,” led by sophomore music and worship major Sidni Schexnayder. Then, the choir was joined by APU 2007 alum Marques Nelson in singing “This Is The Day,” which was the last song of the night.
Throughout the whole concert, members of the audience stood in the aisles and clapped and cheered, even stomping their feet.
The next performance for the Gospel Choir will be at the New Hope Christian Center in Lomita on Sunday, Oct. 26, followed by the fall concert on Friday, Nov. 21.