January 10th, 2014, Weber State University presented the 14th-Annual WSU Gospel Music Festival. It has been a few years since I have attended this event and I was pleasantly surprised, and even shocked at wonderful this concert was. The concert featured ten groups singing and dancing praises of worship.
Each group brought its unique sound and interpretation to the concert, which was well-programmed so that even though one could argue an entire concert of gospel music could become boring, it remained exciting to see each new groups new and different flavor of personal worship. Some highlights included the fine performance of the Living Waters Praise team and Praise United. Their soulful performances showed a commitment to their craft and to their faith.
Providing some contrast was the Calvary Baptist Pearls of Praise. Including young dancers, they was fun, entertaining, and especially inspiring as we saw the incorporation of all ages working together for the purpose of community and worship . Local group, Kids are Music, featuring all children, made me give caution to their place in a concert of authentic gospel music. However, they proved very much at home at this concert singing some traditional spirituals. Their choreography and singing was precise and fun, a real audience pleasing performance that added much to the concert.
The most out-of-place performance of the evening, ironically, was the Weber State University choir. With a jazzy “Go Down, Moses,” the arrangement and performance seemed to miss the point of praise, worship, and community despite this very talented choir and pianist.
As soon as it was the Tongan United Methodist Choir’s turn, the audience went ecstatic showing the tightness of a community come to support their loved ones. They gave a fantastic performance incorporating choir, band, and dancers that left the audience of their feet.
The Hill Air Force Base Inspiration Choir, a quartet of singers, provided the most stand-out performance of the night. Fronted by Harold DeHorney, these four singers, gave a stunning set full of passion and dignity of worship, including “The Lord’s Prayer” and a rendition of “The Lord’s Been Good to Me” that was as fun, passionate, and inclusive as any performance of the night. DeHorney led all the participants, including the audience, in the final “Amen” from Jester Hairston. It was truly an unforgettable night.
This concert has become a staple in the Northern Utah arts scene and if you have not experienced it, you must make a note to go next year!
No comments:
Post a Comment