Sacred Heart University’s (SHU) Gospel Choir celebrates the Black Pentecostal tradition with uplifting and joyful performances in their production of Gospelfest. This musical event takes place in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit on Feb. 17 at 4 p.m.
Two SHU students performing during last year’s Gospel Fest, 2023.
Instagram, @shuchoirs
“They’ve been doing this here for several years now, and it’s become a bigger event every year,” said Dr. Christopher Grundy, the Director of the Choral Program. He also describes the event as a fun, surprising and uplifting experience.
The performance is arranged by SHU’s Gospel Choir director, Michael Brown. Brown has decades of experience directing Gospel music, and is described as an “astonishingly talented musician known for his soaring vocals, dazzling piano artistry and captivating stage presence,” according to Sacred Heart’s website.
“He is very popular with the students and he’s also very connected in the Gospel community, so he always brings in guest artists,” said Grundy. “He actually surprises us with them. I have no idea who is going to be there.”
Gospelfest is one of the university’s efforts creating a diverse and welcoming community at Sacred Heart.
“This is a singing tradition from the Black Pentecostal Church. With all the inclusivity efforts at SHU right now, we feel like it’s really an important thing for bringing diversity into our Choral Program, and for putting the spotlight on some really fantastic choral singing that is of a different tradition,” said Grundy.
The performance is primarily made up of songs written by Brown himself.
“He has always written us amazing songs for all of the performances we do,” said junior Christen Luongo, Vice President of the Choral Program. “It makes it really special to perform, knowing it was written from the mind and heart of someone who really loves what he does.”
Other classics on the set list include “I Go to the Rock,” “How Great Thou Art,” “I Wanna Know What Love Is” and “Seattle.” According to Billboard, “I Go to the Rock: The Gospel Music of Whitney Houston” peaked at no. 2 on their Top Gospel Albums chart in 2023.
SHU’s Gospel Choir is an openhearted and lively community, which can be felt through their performances.
“My favorite part of Gospel Choir is how supportive and high-spirited everyone is. Going to Gospel rehearsal is always the highlight of my week,” said Luongo. “Michael Brown really takes his time to get to know us and it makes rehearsal relaxed and enjoyable.”
Brown knows how close Luongo and another choir singer are, so he wrote them a duet called “Forever Friends” to perform at the event.
Gospelfest is a performance with the ultimate goal of bringing our community together, with an infectious energy that enlivens the audience.
“My favorite part of it is the energy that Michael Brown brings to our students,” said Grundy.
General public tickets can be purchased for $25 on the Edgerton Center for the Performing Arts Website, with discounted prices available. Visit edgertoncenter.org for more information.
