Black Gospel Ensemble to perform spring concert

Published 9:55 am Monday, April 27, 2009

MOREHEAD, Ky. — Harmonious sounds of praise and worship will fill Duncan Recital Hall at Morehead State University on Wednesday, as the members of the Black Gospel Ensemble present their Spring Concert.

The ensemble, under the direction of Dr. Roosevelt Escalante, assistant director of choral activities, and Dr. Ritta Abell, BGE adviser and assistant professor of speech, will perform at 8 p.m. in Duncan Recital Hall, located within Baird Music Hall on campus. The concert is free and open to the public.

Members of the ensemble, listed by voice, position or instrument, as well as hometown, are as follows:

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Soprano: Amber Whorral, Jackson; Jillian Heinrichs, Paris; Jasmine Feaster, Cincinnati; Nicole Froning, Wallingford; Ericka Hibner, Radcliff; Ashley Britt, Bowling Green; Lauren Cole, Carrollton, Ohio; and Holly Forbes, Argillite.

Alto: Erin Bohannon, Fairfield, Ohio; Davonia Stuart, Freeport, Bahamas; Brittany Henderson, Covington; Lyberia Davis, Williamsburg; Kalle Cole, Hamersville, Ohio; Bethany Gordon, Lebanon; Aryn Howland, Bellevue; Tara Henry, West Palm Beach, Fla.; Leslie Pee, Rineyville; Amber Thomas, Louisville; Shianna Smith, Nicholasville; and Keisha Williams, Cincinnati.

Tenor: Kayla Watts, Latonia; Ashia Garrett, Cincinnati; Dwight Harris, Lexington; Jacob Sartin, Vanceburg; Greg Neblett, Radcliff; William Goodwin, Stanton; and Noel Williams, Morehead.

Drum: Kendall Guischard, Trinidad and Tobago; and Daniel Murphy, Ironton, Ohio.

Trumpet: Danielle Cirelli and Brian Harding, both of Aberdeen, S.D.

Alto saxophone: Carl Pickering, Louisville.

Bass: Blake Still, Corbin.

Organ and keyboard: Andrew Valentine, Louisville.

The event will feature solo performances by several ensemble members.

Songs that will be performed are: Hezekiah Walker’s “Souled Out” and “You’re all I need;” Maurette Brown-Clark’s “Just Want to Praise You;” James Fortune’s “I’ll Trust You;” Jonathon Nelson’s “Right Now Praise;” Joe Pace’s “Have Your Way;” Smokie Norful’s “I Need You Now;” and “Back II Eden” by Donald Lawrence; Dr. Escalante’s “Hold On;” and an arrangement of John P. Kee’s “I’m Covered,” by Dr. Escalante.

The Black Gospel Ensemble, founded in 1968 on MSU’s campus, musically celebrates Christian doctrine. Its members perform at campus events and churches, as well as various venues in the community.

The BGE takes pride in contributing to the educational, social and cultural needs of the University’s service region.

The mission of the organization is to provide an environment in which students may interact with others for the stimulation of intellectual, creative and spiritual growth.

Additional information is available by calling Dr. Escalante at (606) 783-2482.