Gospel Choir to Present Spring Concert, “Praise is What We Do!,” April 24th

Get ready to clap your hands and sing along. This is an air-drumming, toe-tapping gospel choir experience and it is not watered down.
 
The CSU, Chico Gospel Choir will present its spring concert Praise is What We Do! at 7:30 p.m. on April 24 in Laxson Auditorium.
 
“Praise is What We Do! is packed with up-tempo songs,” Director Malcolm Jackson said.
 
The concert will feature songs varying from an up-beat version of “Delight” and a reggae-influenced cut of “Stomp,” to the smooth ballad “Best of my Story.”

Progrmming a gospel concert is all about balance and ebb and flow, Jackson said.
 
In addition to the choir, the concert will also feature musicians from the Bay Area and Sacramento.  Jackson’s Musical Director, organist Charles Walker, created musical arrangements for the keyboard player, bassist and drummer.
 
Jackson is also hoping to recruit some horn players from CSU, Chico’s Jazz X-Press. Regardless of, Jackson is confident in the rhythm section because drummer Harry Boyd is “off the chain.”
 
The choir is well prepared for “Praise is What We Do!” but the concert will follow a looser vibe than the thematic fall concert.
 
This free-flowing concert will encourage audience participation.
 
“The problem with some of these bigger concerts is that people don’t feel connected to the performers,” Jackson said. “Being entertained matters, but the most enjoyment comes from being a part of the experience.”
 
Jackson wants “Praise is What We Do!” to encourage people to get involved, but moving from the more intimate Harlen Adams Theatre to the 1,400 seat
Laxson Auditorium provides a challenge.
 
“Years ago, during the Gospel Choir’s first concert, the lights were blinding up on stage,” Jackson said. “Now we shine them on the audience as one way to get them involved. I’m just trying to get people to clap their hands, let their kids run around crazy and maybe even start up a mosh pit like at a Van Halen concert.”
 
With a “nice crew” and Jackson’s high expectations, the 40-person Gospel Choir is prepared to entertain. Since its beginnings as a club six years ago, the Gospel Choir has expanded to a class containing community members and CSU, Chico students.
 
“ Because it’s a class the choir can’t be too preachy,” Jackson said. “However, audiences will definitely leave feeling uplifted and inspired.”
 
Advance tickets, at $15 adults, $13 senior citizens and $6 students/children, are available at the University Box Office, 898-6333. For disability-related accommodations, please call 898-4325. Add $2 for tickets purchased at the door.
 
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- Hillary Feeney