Feeling the spirit in gospel music

By: Nishant Dixit
Contributing Writer

The annual Monmouth College Gospel festival was held at the Dahl Chapel and Auditorium on Sunday, Nov. 12, with sponsorship from the office of the student chaplain and the office of intercultural life.

Free and open to the public, the festival started at 6:30 p.m. and featured a wide array of acts performing gospel music.

First up was Sound of 5, the newly-resurrected Monmouth student ensemble. Their a capella-style set consisted of three songs unaccompanied by any musical instruments. Sophomore Lindsay Jackson stirred the audience with her rendition of Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now.” Senior Adam Drake was featured on “A Girl Like You” by the Young Rascals, with the title changed to “God Like You” to fit the occasion.

The final song in the set was a reworking of the Billie Holiday classic, “God Bless the Child,” rearranged by Sound of 5 alumnus Scott Stanton.

Taking the stage next was the Umoja Community Gospel Choir, under the direction of Knox College Spanish professor Jessie Dixon. Umoja is the result of the united talents of Knox students, staff and faculty, as well as members of the Galesburg community.

Umoja’s four-song set started with the soft “That’s What You Are to Me.” Two numbers, “You Are Good” and “Glorious” were rousing and well-received by the audience members.

The program also featured the Solid Rock Praise Band of the Solid Rock Apostolic Church in Monmouth. The group, directed by Valerie Stevens, performed four worship songs. They were enthusiastically received by the audience members, who sang along to known numbers “Here I Am to Worship” and “Celebrate.” Stevens said, “It feels nice to come out of church and celebrate with the community.”

Patricia Henning, licentiate for the St. James African Methodist Episcopal Church in Monmouth, was the first featured soloist in the festival. Her powerful voice resonated through the Dahl Chapel and Auditorium as she sang of her love for God. Her set consisting of the strong “Like a Ship Without a Sail” was a reminder of the incredibly inspiring power of gospel music.

The second soloist, and the last act of the show, was Sarah Nicholas-Price, adjunct professor of voice at Knox College, accompanied on piano by Julia Andrews, lecturer in music at Monmouth College.

Andrews’s voice was a force to reckon with on all the songs in her three-song set. The piano accompaniment was brilliant in “I’ve Been in the Storm So Long,” “Come Sunday” and “Right on King Jesus.” The performance was a fitting end to the wonderful range of groups and soloists.

The audience consisted mainly of Monmouth community members and several Monmouth College students. Merry Vue, a senior biology major, said, “It was great to have this music festival on campus. The five different performances were all very well done. The singers’ voices were extraordinary, along with the accompaniment. To watch these performers was very encouraging and inspirational.” She added, “I hope that they are brought back to campus for future performances.”