Fall '03 Edition
Songs for salvation
Moustafa Ayad
Daily Egyptian
 Annie Dentamaro~Daily EgyptianPhillippa Sarrow belts out her solo during the Voices of Inspiration "He Satisfies" Fall Concert Saturday afternoon. Moments before her solo Sarrow was pulled out of the choir and was proposed to by her boyfriend in front of the those in attendance. She said yes. |
A group of 35 students overcome the hardships of an average school year to bring their annual fall concert to the masses.
In the middle of Ballroom D of the Student Center stood a dream realized. Out of a group of only 15, the once-small and intent-on-growing Voices of Inspiration gospel choir sang their hearts out. From the testing of the microphone levels to the last set, a 35-person choir came together in a fusion of sounds, levels and pitches.
There were no ominous sounds of monks chanting in unison or more traditional tributes to God with little show of physical emotion. Here in the Student Center, as the attendants walked down the corridors on the second floor, they could hear the praise. Down by the Old Main Room, they could hear the praise. Over by the craft show, the sweet sounds of eulogy permeated the selling grounds.
To a crowd of more than 100, the choir performed their annual fall concert. With family members in attendance and friends standing by, the group of students began their testimony. Legirtha Smith, who has been singing since the age of 7, said the concert sets a standard for all the group members to come.
Smith has sung with the choir since her freshman year in 1999. She said every year the group overcomes participants who have left college for financial reasons, personal problems and the hardships of working toward a degree. Smith and her fellow colleagues have strived to come out every year in a show of gratitude to a higher power.
Gospel has meant more than just the world to Smith. Her early days serenading those who meant the most to her were nothing in comparison to singing songs for God.
"Gospel is about singing good music about Jesus and giving inspiration and hope to all," she said.
But learning to bring 35 sounds, 35 different personalities and 35 students who have never sang in a choir let alone with each other can be task within itself.
"Every year we have people leaving school with personal problems, and we always find a way to build back up and work real hard," Smith said. "That's what makes this concert stand above over the rest ˘ because of all the hard work.
"It's a lot of dedication, a lot of dedication."
And through the commitment, sweat and spent vocal chords was a joyous foot-tapping crowd of 100. Smiling faces were abound as the choir took the stage and Master of Ceremoonies Jonathan Jackson announced the chorus. The 35 members two-stepped down the open aisle between a section of chairs, clapping and signing all the way.
"Get out of your chairs, stamp your feet, throw your weave out and do something," Jackson exclaimed to the crowd as the choir graced his background, swaying and singing in sweet harmony.
Children listening to the choir responded as well as the adults. Some drove from as far as Chicago to hear their children sing in what would be their first fall concert as a Voice of Inspiration.
"This semester we have a lot of freshmen, and it was a good semester," Smith said. "And we had a new executive board. We went through a bit of a trial and error period. But in the end, I think it came out really good."
With an enormous turnover rate, the choir that had persevered through storms of personal hardship experienced one more trial of faith and strength as a group ˘ a missing song list.
"It actually flowed better," Smith said. "Like Bryant said, there was probably a reason why he lost the list."
Ian Bryant, the choir's director, had apparently misplaced the group's song list. Now he stood explaining the choir would do a full set, but the order would be what he had memorized.
Nevertheless, the choir swam thought the impromptu song choice with ease, adjusting their voices with every change at every corner. Highlighting some gospel classics as "He is Satisfied," "What A Mighty God We Serve " and "Jesus Will" as its grand finale.
"It was a great turnout," she said. "And all of it was good feedback."
Moustafa Ayad can be reached at: mayad@dailyegyptian.com
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