There is nothing like a good performance by a gospel choir to fire the emotions and direct the heart to a purpose. By that measure, this evening’s performance by the Charleston Symphony Orchestra Gospel Choir at Citadel Square Baptist Church proved a rousing success. “Sentimental attachment” to the various concepts of what home means throughout African-American culture provided the theme explored through song, narration, and a fascinating series of images projected onto the walls of the church above the choir.
CSOGC’s director, Glenn R. Nixon had selected a mostly down-tempo mix of music, old and new, but all deeply connected to our theme, and the gospel tradition. The down-tempo focus may be my only complaint about what was really a superb performance by a wonderful choir. When this choir opens the throttle, walls and roofs fear for their safety! The sentimental nature of this program kept their house-rocking capabilities (mostly) in check tonight, but allowed a slow burn groove to build as the performance proceeded.
The narration, provided by Carolyn “Jabulile” White, created a point of focus for each group of songs, while tying the music to the images. And it was this thoughtful combination of what might seem unconnected and chaotic that pushed this performance into the heart; asking, what is home?
The choir was dead-on-the-one tight right from the starting line, showing superb balance and a sensitivity to dynamics most choirs of that size can only dream of achieving. Standouts among the many soloists included Tamara D. Saunders, Jennifer Ancrum-Horton, and Michelle Lincoln. The audience’s favorite soloist, tenor Darren L. Carter, got everyone moving with his earnest pleading during a medley of Lift Every Voice/Jesus Is Love. For my money though, the best soloist of the evening was female tenor June Dupree, whose molten bronze tone cried to the depths and soared to the heavens during her medley of Peace Be Still/God Of Our Weary Years.
An extended encore gave us almost a half hour more music than expected. Most generous… And most welcome!
