Community Corner
College of Lake County Gospel Choir to Perform Sunday
The CLC Gospel Choir, which has grown from 12 to 60 members of all backgrounds, will perform different styles of gospel music at its spring concert.
From stage performance to worship hymns, the College of Lake County Gospel Choir offers more than what one would find at Sunday worship. This weekend's concert begins at 4 p.m. Sunday at CLCs , 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake.
The gospel choir was started by Charles Clency, who came to the college’s Grayslake campus in 2004. Clency said gospel choirs grew in popularity in the 1970s on college campuses, adding that Northwestern University created one of the first in 1972.
The College of Lake County did not offer gospel choir as an accredited class and instead offered a social group at its Lakeshore Campus in Waukegan for about five years. But over time, gospel music has become a widely accepted art form, and the college chose to join the bandwagon, he said.
Clency said gospel has grown in popularity because the music bridges cultural boundaries.
“It brings people together from all orientations, beyond religion, beyond social or logical dynamics,” he said.
Its first year, the choir featured 12 members. To reach 60 members now, Clency said, is a source of pride. And the choir features not only college students but community members of diverse backgrounds including ministers, health-care professionals as well as the director of the performing arts center.
“It’s fun. It’s release. It’s a catharsis,” he said. “And for those who subscribe to the Christian belief, it’s worship.”
Growing up around all types of music, Brendan Cox joined the choir this year to try something new. The Round Lake student said the group is welcoming and feels like home.
“We’re there as a family. We’re there to have fun and that is what the music reflects, music we can be ourselves with,” he said.
Among the songs the choir will perform will be “Sweet By and By,” a medley featuring Cox and Tina Miritello, who are among soloists to perform Sunday. Fellow soloists will be Carlos Boglin, Kimberly Cyphers, Sidonia Davis, Carrington Thomas and Becky Tokarz. The choir also will sing “Can’t Hold Back Your Praises,” composed by student and choir member Kedric Mabon.
Miritello said Clency incorporates different styles of gospel within the concert. Songs will reflect a slow meditative style, stage performance or a worship hymn.
“Although it’s a gospel choir and geared toward religion. it is very accepting to other cultures and other faiths,” said Miritello, a Mundelein resident.
The gospel choir will join the CLC Singers, Choir of Lake County and the CLC Chamber Singers, all directed by Clency in the final concert at 4 p.m. April 17. Clency said the concert will feature an array of different choral works ranging from Renaissance classical to show tunes to hymns.
“We want the music to reflect the diversity of a community within the community college,” he said.
Tickets cost $5 for general admission and $4 for CLC staff and students, Alumni Association members, seniors age 65 and older and children under 12. For information, visit www.clcillinois.edu/tickets or call the box office at (847) 543-2300.
