Ablawa Reine Akpovo
Staff writer
A new gospel choir has started at Shorter. The president of the Shorter Gospel Choir, Arianna Deans, said it all started because of a simple idea. Deans asked herself, “Why can’t we just form a group of gospel singers, instead of the showcase of individuals singing gospel every year at Shorter?”
After being advised by Whitney Mosley, assistant director of student life, the Shorter Gospel Choir officially started on Jan. 19, and many students were ready for this opportunity.
According to Deans, the purpose of creating the gospel choir was “to introduce soulful music on campus, to bring homestyle music to campus and mainly to use the gift our God gave us to showcase and praise Him.”
The choir has 13 volunteers including the musical director, the guitarist, the keyboardist, the bass player and the singers. They rehearse every Tuesday and Sunday from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. to have a voice feast in the Brookes Chapel.
Patrice Allen, sophomore sports communication major, believes God can work through students. Allen is an active member of the choir and is enthusiastic about singing.
“Students come to Shorter to glorify God with their voices,” said Allen.
The Shorter Gospel Choir will perform annually. Events are being held during February as part of the Black History Month celebration. The members performed recently at the “Gospel Explosion,” which was held on Feb.7 in the Brookes Chapel.
“It is an event to showcase local church choirs and student groups at Shorter collaborating with local churches,” said
Mosley.
This year marked the second year for Shorter’s Gospel Explosion. The Shorter Gospel Choir performed I Will Bless the Lord by Byron Cage, I Belong To You by William McDaniel and Brighter Day by Kirk Franklin.
For interested students, no audition is necessary to be a member of the group. It is open to everyone.
“As long as they are able to hold a note, they are welcome,” said Deans.
For more information, contact Deans at arianna.deans@hawks.shorter.edu.
