Music for the Soul – Eugene Weekly

On a rainy day in Eugene, music lovers line up waiting to find a seat. Choral Class 163 will soon be filled with the sounds of melody, soul and spirit known as gospel music. All are gearing up for his 40th anniversary show on June 11th at the Beale Concert Hall.

The University of Oregon Gospel Vocal Ensemble consists of the Gospel Choir, a large novice choir. Gospel Ensemble is a small intermediate choir and Gospel Singers is a highly skilled choir. All three groups are open to anyone, but both Gospel Ensemble and Singers require an audition. You don’t have to be a college student to participate, nor do you need a music major or minor.

Each choir will showcase as much talent and knowledge as last season at the 40th anniversary performance. Andiel Brown, director of the university’s gospel choir and ensemble, said the concert would be the final act for the class. Gospel Choir and Gospel Ensemble can be taken as semester classes, while Gospel Singers are typically a one-year commitment.

Mr. Brown stood at the front of the class, directing the students to follow him, signaling them to take steps and rock from side to side. “I teach them verse by verse, section by section, part by part,” he says. “You don’t need to learn how to read music in this class because we are doing it in a very traditional way.”

Gospel developed throughout the United States as an early and traditional genre of Christian music. Gospel was created by African-American slaves who could not read or write music, but were able to impart knowledge by listening to and repeating melodies. Over the years, gospel has spread to churches, record labels, radio stations, and more. His 1938 jazz gospel song “March of the Saints”, made famous by Louis Armstrong, consists of lyrics inspired by the biblical book of Revelation.

“Music is history. It’s culture. It’s people’s emotions. It’s heritage,” says Brown. “It was created by my ancestors. It was created as a way to give hope, to connect, to direct.”

Brown then reaches a higher tone and begins singing Ramsay Lewis’s “Wade in the Water” as an example of historical meaning and emotion. “That song literally gave instructions on how to break free from slavery,” he says.

Longtime favorites, including Michael Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror,” will be sung by the choir on the night of the grand show. Fans of Duck already know one famous song, but Brown is waiting for its release. Each choir performs separately, but at some performances they perform together. Brown has implemented the group’s dance choreography and plans to perform with them. Students from the Cuban salsa class that Brown teaches at Bushnell University will also appear.

Gospel Singers member Christina Stubbs said: “It’s a really positive environment for everyone, especially those going through depression, mental health issues, or any kind of problem in their lives.” spoke on the phone. She said, “I always highly recommend attending a concert or just going. It literally just lifts the spirits for everyone.”

Since 2019, Stubbs, 31, has participated in a gospel program. Although she is not registered as a student of her UO, she has actually been a part of it for decades. Her grandmother and aunt were members of a gospel choir. Stubbs has a strong musical heritage in her family, and she carries it with her. Her father played the piano for Brown.

Raised in a musical family, he belonged to the choir in elementary school, junior high school, and high school. She sang everything from classical to opera to gospel. “It’s a big part of my life, and I consider it my passion. It’s what I have to do. It makes me happy,” Stubbs said. increase. “I look forward to it every day, especially when I go to choir rehearsals.”

During class, Brown tallies up those who want to audition for solos on the upcoming show, marking which songs they are preparing to sing. The room is silent for only a moment, and then the music begins playing. The piano starts playing and rehearsals begin.

“Music takes you on a journey and helps you deal with some of the things you’re going through in life,” Brown says. “That’s the nature of music, especially gospel music.”

The Beall Concert Hall will host a UO Gospel Choir concert on June 11th at 5pm. Tickets can be purchased in person at UO ticket offices, online at tickets.uoregon.edu or by phone at 541-346-4363.

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