Gospel Fest offers spirited rejoicing

Agape brings christian voices to Oberlin

Those who attended the Gospel Fest last Friday witnessed an amazing show. Agape, Oberlin's primarily African-American Christian group, organized the Gospel Fest.

The concert featured Oberlin Voices for Christ, the Cleveland State Messengers of Joy, the Akron University Gospel Choir and the Prayer Warriors, a professional group based in Cleveland. Jay the Gospel Kid, a radio personality on 104.9 WZLE in Cleveland, was the guest host of the evening.

A superb introduction of the event was complete with prayer and rejoicing led by Jay the Kid. Afterwards first-year Claudine Henderson and Voices for Christ, with first-year Ramone Billingsley at the piano and senior Neal Smith on drums, performed "We Worship Your Name." For a group who reunited at the beginning of this semester after a four-year hiatus, their contribution to the fest was nothing less than spectacular with superb soloists. Compared to the other three groups, their volume was at times low. This did not, however, detract from their message and praise.

The second group to perform, The Cleveland State Messengers of Joy, sporting brightly colored robes with Kinte cloth and impressive choreography, were enjoyable to hear and watch. They began with a somewhat quiet and reverent selection, "God is the Cross," that burst into loud, resplendent musical rejoicing. Audience members stood up for that joyous sound produced by the choir. Although the choir itself was quite small, the sound it produced was very large, which is the case with most experienced gospel choirs. Their soloists also performed splendidly, with a wide range of vocal timbres and styles.

When the Akron University Gospel choir, in their uniform of denim and t-shirts walked on stage, along with a trombonist (who added a jazzy quality to the music), their presence immediately struck audience members. Although the uniform was casual the singing was most definitely not. Headed by a charismatic leader, the choir began with "This is My Testimony" and ended with a most memorable selection, "Fire," (sung at the top of their lungs), which, with its repeated phrases threw the audience into a pious stupor, that included standing, rocking and clapping.

A slightly older and more experienced group, The Prayer Warriors, complete with special sound effects and a wide range of percussive instruments, ended the concert. The Prayer Warriors began their portion of the concert with "Tell it Everywhere I Go." After a special-effect start, with body movement, the choir resounded through Finney Chapel. The soloists included members of both the band and choir, and presented a mature sound.

The variety of age and choirs represented was a testimony to the open-mindedness and hard work that was needed in order to pull off the concert successfully. Double-degree senior Rashard Allen coordinated the event, including the voluntary performance of the Prayer Warriors. Near the end of the concert, many organizations, including dorms, academic departments and all of the different religious groups on campus, were given thanks for their monetary support of the concert.

The concert was an absolute hit in several Oberlin communities. The simple act of extending its praise of God to the entire community is an act rarely achieved at Oberlin. It definitely succeeded in its mission as many different people chose to become part of the religious community during the altar call at the end of the concert.