Spring Break
The Daily OrangeCelestial choir sings Saturday
By Tory Marlin
Posted: 4/17/08, 10:32 PM EST Section: Feature
If you go:
What: Black Celestial Choral Ensemble concert
Where: Hendricks Chapel
When: Saturday at 8 p.m.
How Much: Free
Ja-el-Lucina Dozier had never been to church before her first concert with the Syracuse University Black Celestial Choral Ensemble. Now she regularly attends church downtown with other choir members. And she credits the choir as a large part of her spiritual growth.
"It's about just letting go and letting God use you instead of always trying to be in control," said Dozier, a senior psychology and African-American studies major.
Dozier and the rest of the Black Celestial Choral Ensemble (BCCE) will share vocal talent, complex harmonies and uplifting lyrics during its 31st anniversary concert Saturday at 8 p.m. in Hendricks Chapel.
For the members, the concert means more than singing notes on sheet music. They view each performance as a chance to preach to the audience and to spread the gospel through songs with positive messages.
"All of our songs are religious in nature," said Adam Wilson, a sophomore aerospace engineering major. "It's sort of the purpose of our choir. It's tied into everything we do."
Though they are one of the longest-running Christian organizations at SU, BCCE performs mostly off-campus, said Nicole Alexander, the group's assistant business manager and SU alumna. The choir, founded in 1977, has traveled all over the Northeast to sing at other schools and churches. It also visited New York City during Spring Break to perform at some of the members' home churches in Queens and on Long Island.
"We've been able to minister in places where you wouldn't even imagine you could do that," said Kristine Delgado, a senior public relations and Spanish major and the group's treasurer.
BCCE frequently receives requests to perform in churches on its own or with big-name gospel singers. Last Friday, BCCE sang at Bethany Baptist Church in Syracuse with Grammy-award winning gospel singer Karen Clark Sheard.
What: Black Celestial Choral Ensemble concert
Where: Hendricks Chapel
When: Saturday at 8 p.m.
How Much: Free
Ja-el-Lucina Dozier had never been to church before her first concert with the Syracuse University Black Celestial Choral Ensemble. Now she regularly attends church downtown with other choir members. And she credits the choir as a large part of her spiritual growth.
"It's about just letting go and letting God use you instead of always trying to be in control," said Dozier, a senior psychology and African-American studies major.
Dozier and the rest of the Black Celestial Choral Ensemble (BCCE) will share vocal talent, complex harmonies and uplifting lyrics during its 31st anniversary concert Saturday at 8 p.m. in Hendricks Chapel.
For the members, the concert means more than singing notes on sheet music. They view each performance as a chance to preach to the audience and to spread the gospel through songs with positive messages.
"All of our songs are religious in nature," said Adam Wilson, a sophomore aerospace engineering major. "It's sort of the purpose of our choir. It's tied into everything we do."
Though they are one of the longest-running Christian organizations at SU, BCCE performs mostly off-campus, said Nicole Alexander, the group's assistant business manager and SU alumna. The choir, founded in 1977, has traveled all over the Northeast to sing at other schools and churches. It also visited New York City during Spring Break to perform at some of the members' home churches in Queens and on Long Island.
"We've been able to minister in places where you wouldn't even imagine you could do that," said Kristine Delgado, a senior public relations and Spanish major and the group's treasurer.
BCCE frequently receives requests to perform in churches on its own or with big-name gospel singers. Last Friday, BCCE sang at Bethany Baptist Church in Syracuse with Grammy-award winning gospel singer Karen Clark Sheard.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Essiemariah Carstarphen
posted 11/15/09 @ 9:24 AM EST
As a BCCE Alum('79-83), it brings me great joy to see that the BCCE continues to carry on the work of the Lord. What an awesome experience it was for me to be a part of such a wonderful group. (Continued…)
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