WCU Inspirational Choir closed the 2012 Homecoming weekend. Photo by: Heather Mason.
The joyful sounds of praise and worship filled the packed UC Grandroom Sunday, Oct. 7, as the Western Carolina University Inspirational Choir performed their homecoming concert “Falling into Jesus”, with special guests The Miracle Singers.
The crowd could not contain its excitement as the choir of 24 students sang contemporary gospel music accompanied by bongos, electric guitars, drums and piano.
A reading of gospel poetry and an interpretive mime dance rounded out the program of pure praise worthy entertainment.
Ken Howard drove three and a half hours from Rome, Ga. to see his daughter Mackenzie Howard perform with the choir. Mackenzie, a sophomore joined the choir last year. “She has always been a singer” said Howard of his daughter, “now she is a section leader.”
The toe- tapping, hands clapping, rhythm of the music was infectious. People were on their feet for most of the one and a half hour presentation. Children danced in the aisles and the air was filled with “amen’s” and “hallelujahs”.
“I was raised on gospel music and I just get happy when I listen to it”, said Brad Johnson, a freshman from Mooresville, N.C., who attended the concert.
The program included music performed by a non-denominational church group from Statesville, N.C. called The Miracle Singers. The group is comprised of seven family members from the Miracle Faith Towers Church. Clyde Parks is the group’s guitar player. “We came to sing inspirational music” said Parks. “We may look young, but we’ve been singing for 50 years.”
Tevin Henderson, a theatre major at WCU, performed a mime dance to gospel music. “I believe my ministry of dance moved someone here today. That is what it is all about, ministering to the people,” said Henderson.
“The choir did wonderful today,” said Pastor Lacy Alaysia-Hackett, the choir’s advisor. Hackett is an alumnus of WCU. When speaking about the group, she could not contain her pride and her face beamed as if each student was her own child.
As the program came to a close, the guest pastor turned to the choir and said, “God hides treasures in everyday people and God trusts you with that treasure.” The choir shared the treasure of song with all of the people in attendance and everyone went away feeling richer for it.
