The newly formed Bluffton University Gospel Choir will host "A Celebration of Gospel," a concert featuring the choir and other groups from Bluffton and Columbus, at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 13, in Yoder Recital Hall. Doors will open at 3:45 p.m. for the free concert.
The 45-member Bluffton choir was organized this fall by Dr. Crystal Sellers, an assistant professor of music at the university. About half of its members are Bluffton students; the others are faculty and community members.
Performing during the second half of the concert, the choir will present five traditional gospel numbers, including two with the accompaniment of a 13-member instrumental ensemble of students and faculty.
The first half of the concert will showcase other styles of gospel, Sellers says. Shining Through, the university's music ministry team, will present the praise and worship style, while One in a Number, a group of women from the Bluffton community, will sing in a Southern, folk style and the Columbus-based GPT Mime Ministry will use dance as well as mime to convey its message. Also singing will be the choir from Holy Temple Church of God, Sellers' home church in Columbus.
"I am very excited about introducing the Bluffton University Gospel Choir to the community and sharing the music that is such an important part of my life," she says. "Starting this choir has been so rewarding. I see the members not only excited about embracing this style of music but also enjoying their time singing together."
Choir members echo Sellers' sentiments. "Gospel choir is a great way for students and community members to come together as a family in heartfelt worship," says Lucas Fullenkamp, a Bluffton sophomore from Wapakoneta, Ohio. "The music calls you to participate with everything you have," adds Jeff Boehr, assistant campus pastor for church relations. "It is a powerful experience."
