Community Gospel Choir presents workshop and concert this weekend
By Amber James For the St. Louis American
“I never saw anything like this.”
That’s Mississippi native Cecelia Stearman describing her initial response to racism and segregation in the St. Louis area.
Combating racism became her inspiration for forming the Community Gospel Choir. It was formed in Kirkwood in August 2007 with more than 70 members, as a multi-denominational, multi-racial choir. Stearman hopes the choir exemplifies the potential of unification and reconciliation through shared worship and the power of gospel music.
“It’s time to be vocal and show our disapproval of social and racial injustices,” said Stearman.
Though the tragic Kirkwood shootings in February have led to further division of the community, she said, the Community Gospel Choir mission remains “bringing the community together in song.”
The public has an opportunity this weekend to get with this program.
On Saturday, April 26, Stearman and others will present “By Note and By Rote,” a workshop for singers and lovers of gospel music, at Kirkwood Baptist Church, 211 Woodlawn Ave.
The workshop is designed to expand the understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of gospel music. This all-day event will provide the history of gospel music and teach technique to gospel music performers, either as choir members or soloist.
The five major sessions will include featured speakers Dello Thedford, of Shalom City of Peace; the Rev. Isaac Williams, music director of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church; and the choir’s own Clarice Jackson.
In addition to the workshop, the Community Gospel Choir also will sponsor “A Concert in Celebration of Gospel Music” at 8 p.m. Friday April 25 at Kirkwood United Methodist church, 201 W. Adams at Clay.
Performances will include the Community Gospel Choir, directed by Stearman, and the Gospel Symphonic Choir, directed by Thedford. A free-will offering will be collected to aid in the efforts of healing and unification in the Kirkwood community through the Peacemakers Fund of Kirkwood United Methodist Church.
“By Note and By Rote” will be held Saturday, April 26 at Kirkwood Baptist Church, 211 Woodlawn Ave. Registration is $25 and includes three pieces of music, with a light breakfast and a lunch. Scholarships are also available. For more information or to register, visit www.communitygospelchoir.org or call (314) 965-2349.
For more information about Cecelia Stearman, go to http://www.geocites.com/cjstearman.
For more information about the Community Gospel Choir, go to www.communitygospelchoir.org
Men of Worship
Life Changers Ministries, Inc., the personal evanglistic ministry of Gerald Pace, will present “The Men of Worship Experience” Saturday, May 3 at
7 p.m.
The concert will convene at Shekinah Deliverance Worship Cathedral 5110 Forest Blvd. Washington Park, IL (five minutes from Downtown St. Louis.)
Participants are Pastor Lamont Milton, J2 and the Voices of Judah, Minister Wiliam Rainer, Minister Chris Harrison, Elder Cornelius Beverly, Minister Jason Harrison and Pace.
