Culture choir coming to The Civic

A neighboring state is lending its choir for a cultural and religious concert this Saturday when the Arkansas Mass Gospel Choir sings at The Civic.

Choir members are from all over Arkansas: Jonesboro, Ft. Smith, Pine Bluff, Bentonville, Springdale, Fayetteville, Siloam Springs, Rogers and also Tulsa, Okla.

Dr. Kierstin Bible, choral music instructor at Crowder College, started singing with the choir when she worked in Arkansas. 

Bible was classically trained so the more impromptu, hand-clapping, foot-stomping style of gospel music was new to her.

She joined the Wal-Mart unity choir in 2006. First they sang a little from “High School Musical,” then Christmas music.

When the choir started rehearsal for their Martin Luther King Jr. Day program, she had her first brush with gospel music. She joined immediately when choir director Charles Moore announced he was putting together a mass choir.

“I do like to sing different types of music and this is very cathartic,” Bible said.

Their first performance was in 2007. Since that time, they have been picked up by a gospel label and their CD, “Hold on for Life” was released in August 2008.

More than a cultural experience, the Arkansas Mass Gospel Choir brings a spiritual dimension to its performances. Gospel music is an integral part of many African-American church services.

“The music is not just like a spiritual,” Bible said. “It’s kind of like a blend of spirituals and hymns and R&B and there can be different kinds of gospel music.”

The CD includes a variety of gospel tunes. Two songs — including the title track — were penned by choir member Natasha Brown.

“The thing about a gospel song is that it’s never sung the same way twice,” Bible said. “If you have a soloist, and the person is going to sing what’s in their heart at the time.

“It can be pretty powerful stuff, our music. That’s when I feel close to God is when I sing. When you get people who love music and you’re singing these beautiful songs and you have the freedom to raise your hands and to sing out, it can really open up a lot of emotions.”
When the group performs for people familiar with the gospel-style singing, the audience often sings along, swaying and praying as they go.  Although the musical style may be new to some in the Neosho area, Bible says it can be fun to join in.

“Don’t be afraid to stand up, don’t be afraid to clap,” Bible said. “Don’t be afraid to sway, don’t be afraid to sing along. Don’t be afraid to yell out something like “‘amen.’”

The Arkansas Gospel Mass Choir concert is part of the Crowder Cultural Arts Committee program.

The church is a strong part of the African-American community and gospel music is a key part of the church.

Bible said it was a good chance to bring something entirely different to the community.

“It’s a really uplifting music worship experience,” she said. “Even if they never hear anything like this again they’ll never forget it. This is ministry in action.”