This Sunday, St. Andrew’s is getting some of that good ol’ gospel sound.
For its third annual “musical gala,” the Episcopal church has invited the Harmonious Voices of Praise as its featured guest. The predominantly black choir is based out of Emporia State University and keeps itself busy with a steady stream of performances, including an appearance at ESU’s Martin Luther King Jr. celebration Monday night.
Anyone who has seen a Voices concert knows what to expect. Plenty of clapping. Plenty of stomping. And plenty of all-out joy, expressed in tight, exuberant harmony.
But never forget. It’s about the joy first. The music is just a means.
“We do not put on a show,” past member Kelly Henson told ESU in 2005. “We minister and bring spirit, soul, energy and the gospel of Jesus Christ to the campus.”
That’s still true today. And it’s one reason why Elaine Edwards of St. Andrew’s was so eager to get the group. From the start, she said, the gala has been about bringing together different parts of the community that might not normally cross paths.
“I would like to think we are building friendships,” said Edwards, an organizer of the event. “We want to reach out to the community. We don’t want people to think we’re in our own little world.”
Scheduling the group was a challenge given its jam-packed schedule. But Edwards is expecting it to be more than worth it, she said.
“We want to present them as well as we can,” she said. “And we want to earn their respect, because we certainly respect them.”
The gala begins at 3 p.m. at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 828 Commercial St. Admission is $3 for the general public and $2 for seniors, students with ID and children aged 6 to 12. Children who are 5 or younger get in free.
Other featured performers include:
• Duo pianists Martin Cuellar and Melinda Groves
• Tuba player Jeffrey Hodap
• Alto Dion Johnson
• Bass Chris Hubbard
• Pianist Leobardo Guerrero
• Soprano Andrea Garritano
• Oboe player William Clamurro
• Organist and pianist Sue Seeman
• Baritone Don Bailey
• Pianist and composer Cade Amend
• Duo pianists Elaine Edwards and Anne Atherton