As 6 p.m. nears on Sept. 27th, the intimate Munson Recital Hall fills with a plethora of people all from different walks of life, yet united in one mission: to experience the 6th Annual Gospel Heritage Music Month Concert hosted by Azusa Pacific’s very own Gospel Choir.
Director Letitia Ugwueke steps on the lit stage as the audience cheers.
“Take a deep breath, everyone,” she said.
In honor of September being Gospel Heritage Month, Gospel Choir paid homage to the late seven-time Grammy award-winning songwriter, singer, pianist, record producer and pastor Andre Crouch.
“I did not know how much Andre Crouch had influenced my gospel music style until I was an adult, putting together this program,” Ugwueke stated.
Crouch uniquely crossed boundaries between pop, R&B and gospel music. He was involved in producing iconic music in Madonna’s “Like a Prayer” and the film “The Color Purple.” He has also worked with artists like Michael Jackson.
The concert included music from Crouch’s 1969-2011 career span, including classics like “Soon and Very Soon,” “I’ll be Thinking of You” and “Let the Church Say Amen.” The program also included soloists, a spoken word poet and interpretive dancer Ikeya Adams.
“I began interpretive dance when I was ten years old,” said Adams, a junior at California Baptist University. “It’s who I am. In all the dances I perform, I want the audience to feel the lyrics.”
Overcome with emotion after one particular song in the concert, Assistant Director Lavone Barnett-Seetal led the choir and choir band in an unrehearsed, improvised gospel song.
“I was a bit scared, but the audience energized us,” freshman choir member DJ Mosley said. “It was just like in our practices, we sing the best we can.”
Gospel Choir alumna Shalini Henry-John also spontaneously stepped on stage for a solo of “Take Me Back.”
Audience members thunderously applauded as the united voices of the twenty-five member Gospel Choir powerfully resounded within each person.
“There’s a reason that this choir stands on risers,” Media and Sound Director Joel Jaeger said. “The fact that they are able to connect with gospel music in a way that allows others to worship shows years and years of experience under their belt.”
Elizabeth Hernandez, a California State University San Bernardino freshman, hopes to transfer to APU and join the Gospel Choir alongside her brother, Samuel, who is currently a Gospel Choir member.
“The environment is so uplifting,” Hernandez stated.
This concert drew many diverse people, ranging from APU staff, church friends and past APU Gospel Choir members to those who had grown up listening to Andre Crouch.
Eduardo Irizarry, APU Mexico outreach coordinator, attended because of his love for Andre Crouch’s music. “I used to sing Andre Crouch with my youth group in the 80s,” he said.
“Gospel music brings people together,” Ugwueke said. “It is so universal.”
The mission of Gospel Choir is “establishing His kingdom wherever we go and in whatever we do,” based on Bible passage found in Luke 12:32.
As for her vision for Gospel Choir this year, Ugwueke says, “Man, I have a lot of visions.”
Connecting with students who want to participate in gospel choir, continuing to make Gospel Choir’s presence on APU campus known and seeking to grow are only a few in mind.