PROVIDENCE — Uplifting spirituals sung by beautiful voices filled the air last Sunday when the Holy Name of Jesus Gospel Choir presented a concert of inspirational music in the newly-renovated parish church.
The 15 member choir, directed by Joyce Braboy, processed into the church clapping joyfully as they sang “Jesus on the Mainline.”
“Clap and enjoy yourselves,” Braboy told those gathered for the concert. “We’re certainly going to enjoy ourselves.” Many concertgoers also joined the choir in song.
The concert included selections such as “God is Still Moving”; “Perfect Praise”; “Plenty Good Room”; and “Days of Elijah.”
Many audience members joined in as the choir presented a spiritual medley that consisted of Gospel classics such as “I Woke Dis Mornin”; “Hush”; “Over My Head”; and “Plenty Good Room.”
One of the highlights of the concert was a powerful and inspiring rendition of “The Lord’s Prayer.”
The concert coincided with the recent release of two compact discs produced by the parish as a fundraiser to benefit its music ministry and ongoing church restoration. The parish’s St. Ambrose Schola Cantorum has produced “Gaudete,” featuring Gregorian chant and polyphony, while the voices of the Gospel choir can be heard on “We’ve Come This Far by Faith,” a collection of spirituals.
Following the concert, Braboy and Jacob Stott, director of music at Holy Name of Jesus Church and the Scola Cantorum, presented copies of the CDs to Bishop Louis E. Gelineau.
“The spirit that they (Gospel choir) generate is so deep and spiritual. They are good people,” said Bishop Gelineau.
Braboy noted that the Gospel choir was formed 12 years ago by former Holy Name of Jesus parishioner Edward “Chip” Belt, who encouraged many of the members of the former diocesan Gospel choir who also worshiped at Holy Name of Jesus to join the new parish choir.
The group also lost its musical accompanist several years ago, and continues to sing a cappella.
Braboy, who has directed the choir for five years, noted that the Gospel choir regularly participates in the 9 a.m. Mass on the first three Sundays of the month, and also presents concerts at parishes throughout the diocese, as well as at special events.
“It’s a lot of fun,” Braboy emphasized. “It’s always challenging working with different personalities, but it always comes together.”
She added that Gospel music has its origins in Africa, and was brought to this country by slaves, who also used the musical form as a way of communication.
“It speaks to us,” said Mary Best, a member of the choir, adding that the music has a strong spiritual component.
The choir includes four sisters - Best, Julia Fortes, Deanna Love and Delores Taylor; and a mother-daughter pair - Joanna Fernandez and Candida L. Tavares.
Father Joseph D. Santos, administrator of the East Side church, said that he never heard a Gospel choir perform until he came to the parish six years ago after serving in Europe for many years.
“I sat through some of their rehearsals,” he recalled. “The one thing that impressed me the most was the a cappella singing and the mixture of voices. The depth of biblical references in the repertoire shows a love of going to the source. It reminds (me) of St. Benedict, who never wanted to use hymns but only Scripture in church singing.”
For more information about the Holy Name of Jesus Gospel Choir or to purchase the compact discs, call the rectory at 272-4515.
