Livingstone Gospel Choir shines on stage with award-winning gospel artists

Livingstone College Gospel Choir

By KIMBERLY HARRINGTON


SALISBURY – The Livingstone College Gospel Choir commanded the stage at the Festival of Praise concert tour at the Greensboro Coliseum April 6, and was the only choir accompanying each gospel recording artist in the “Texture of a Man” segment.

Entering the stage wearing all black, the choir sang backup for national gospel recording artists Fred Hammond, Donnie McClurkin, James Fortune, Erica Campbell and Charles Jenkins, then later changed into blue jeans and black shirts; befitting of and representing the Blue Bears’ colors; black and blue.

Skits were weaved between performances that highlighted confrontations men are confronted with today, particularly relative to relationships with women.

“Texture of a Man is about the inside of the gladiator, the warrior,” said McClurkin. “It’s about men who are afraid of rejection, who have failed at relationships; men who give biblical instructions but can’t take that advice for themselves; it’s about men who don’t know how to use the word ‘help.’”

The choir had an opportunity to meet and mingle with Fred Hammond and take a photo with him backstage following the concert. “It’s all surreal,” said one Livingstone student as choir members recapped their experience after the show.

Livingstone College President Dr. Jimmy R. Jenkins Sr. attended the concert with his wife, Dr. Faleese Moore Jenkins. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for these students. This is a night they will never forget,” he said.

Pastor Christopher Gray, professor of the Livingstone College Gospel Choir, said this type of exposure is great for the choir, which will soon be releasing its first album. It was Gray’s connections that landed the choir the opportunity. A representative from Fred Hammond’s office contacted him about the Festival of Praise Tour and wanted to know if he could pull together a choir.

“I’ve got a choir for you and it’s a college choir,” Gray told the rep. The choir learned 35 songs in two weeks to prepare for the concert.

To view videos of the choir’s performances, visit www.livingstone.edu.