KALAMAZOO-Before the Grammy-nominated Morgan State University Choir performed at Bible Baptist Church on March 28, its director shared of his Kalamazoo connection. Eric Conway, conductor of the Baltimore, Md., was married to his wife, Bessie (Thompson) at the original Bible Baptist Church (Kalamazoo Avenue) more than 20 years ago.
“Our choir has been on tour through Cleveland, Detroit, Chicago, and we just had to make our last stop, Kalamazoo,” Conway said.
The stop was well worth it for the more than 750 people who packed into the new Bible Baptist sanctuary located at 1700 N. Drake Road. The free concert was one of what Pastor Kevin Lavender, Sr., said may become an annual event.
“This was the Lord’s doing,” Lavender said. “We wanted to provide a free event for all the many church families in Kalamazoo to come together. With this economy, we know people can’t afford much. And many people pay to see this choir. But this is something we wanted to do, and after this turnout, we know we’ll have to do it again.”
Morgan State University Choir is one of the nation’s most prestigious university choral ensembles. They have performed all over the world and for such historic events as the 100th Birthday Tribute to Marian Anderson at Carnegie Hall. In 2009 they were invited to South Africa to sing in an international Choral festival which was highlighted by singing, “Happy Birthday,” to Nelson Mandela on his 90th birthday.
The 40-member choir on tour was a portion of the 130 members that make up the Morgan State University Choir. The nearly two-hour performance opened with the tradition, “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” and culminated into an array of musical genre from classical to show tunes.
Choir member Ashley Collier of Detroit, was featured in “The Lord Be Praised,” which led many to their feet. The song, “If I Can Help Somebody,” featured Patrick Daily. The song is one of the choir’s signature songs and was performed in 2005 in Washington D.C. during an event to honor Rosa Parks as she lay in state.
The church favorite for many, “Great is thy Faithfulness,” featured soloist Candace Potts which took everyone back “to church,” with her traditional style and tone. Songs such as “Joshua Fought the Battle of Jericho,” and “Ezekul Saw the Wheel,” also featured standouts and comical musical theater-type performing.
The Morgan State Choir was a treat for the hundreds in attendance many who had never heard of the choir before the tickets became available. The Bible Baptist church members who served as everything from ushers to ticket-takers, helped keep everything smooth and enjoyable.
