UpDate - Vol. 12, No. 26, Page 3
April 8, 1993
Sounds of praise; Student gospel performers lift every voice in song 

     It is a Sunday evening in the Amy E. du Pont Music Building. Walking
past the practice rooms, you hear the melody of a saxophone blowing softly,
the haunting notes of a classical guitar and the occasional sound of a
piano.
     Then, as you approach the room opposite the Loudis Recital Hall, you
hear a different kind of music, a joyous sound of many voices lifting this
corner of the building with songs of praise.
     The voices belong to the Gospel Choir at the University, a group of
some 70 students whose purpose is to spread the good news of the gospel
through music.
     The choir was founded in 1979, when a handful of students got together
to sing in the annual Black Arts Festival variety show.
     "It went so well, and the students enjoyed it so much that they
decided to continue as a group," said Patricia E. Davis, a manager in
Management Information Services and adviser to the group for the past three
years.
     After a period of rapid early growth, membership declined for a time.
But, during the last four years, the organization has been growing
steadily, according to Davis.
     "There is a lot of camaraderie and support within the choir," said
Davis, who is referred to as "Mrs. Pat" by members.
     Davis, who goes to as many rehearsals and engagements as possible,
said her job is to make the choir function as a group.
     While there is a strong Christian basis in the choir, membership is
open to everyone. "We wanted the choir to be seen as being open to all
students, and not excluding anyone," Davis said.
     The choir begins its rehearsals with a prayer delivered by the group's
chaplain, who also is responsible for introducing songs when the choir is
performing.
     "I provide the spiritual aspect of the choir as it relates to the
Bible," said Wesley Proctor, a senior English major who says he takes "the
role of chaplain seriously, and I enjoy it. It means a great deal to me."
     Although the members emphasize that they are students first, being in
the choir does require a strong commitment. The length of time required for
each performance ranges from a few hours, for an on-campus engagement, to a
whole day when traveling to another area.
     The Gospel Choir has performed at Delaware State College, Lincoln and
Drexel universities and the University of Pennsylvania.
     "The singing is usually done in two, half-hour performances, with a
break in the middle," said Tony Beard, a junior engineering major and the
choir's first vice-president.
     Beard said one of his responsibilities is to see how the songs are
performed. He leads the group by the use of hand and body movements, in the
same manner that a conductor leads an orchestra.
     Many of the current choir members joined after hearing about the group
from fellow members.
     "I used to sing in church," said Tamika Moses, "so being in the Gospel
Choir at the University is a continuation of that experience."
     Moses, a senior with a double major in mechanical engineering and
criminal justice, wants to become a patent attorney after graduation.
     Joy Biddle, a junior engineering student, joined after meeting Beard
and Moses while attending a summer program on campus. They got me
interested in the choir," she said. "I like gospel singing."
     One of the group's most exciting moments was performing before a crowd
of about 2,500 persons at the Bob Carpenter Center in January, during the
annual "Day of Celebration" commemorating the life of Dr. Martin Luther
King Jr., sponsored by the Du Pont Co.
     The choir, directed by Rease Maddox, a records technician in accounts
payable, received a standing ovation from the crowd for their renditions of
"This Train is Bound for Glory" and "Every Time I Feel The Spirit."
     "It was a good experience and we had a very enjoyable time," said
Dionne Salmon, a sophomore business major. "It was nice to help the
University take part in the event, and it was an honor for us to be there."
     Salmon, the organization's secretary, said the most rewarding thing
about being part of the Gospel Choir is witnessing its impact on an
audience.
     "We can have a positive influence on other people," Salmon said. "I've
seen it happen."
                                        -Jerry Rhodes

Editor's note: The Gospel Choir will be featured in the "Spring Gospelrama"
at 5 p.m.,Sunday, April 25, in Mitchell Hall. For information, call
831-2991. See associated story in the Up and Coming section on page 4.