The Ebony Singers, dressed sharply in white and black, filed into the sold out Memorial Chapel on Monday evening to enthusiastic applause in anticipation of this semester’s performance. The cheering escalated as conductor Pastor Marichal Monts came before the choir and began the first song without delay.
“When the singers entered they had such a huge presence together,” said audience member Thomas Coen ’07. “And then the conductor launched his hands toward the chapel ceiling and they all started singing. It was so powerful.”
The members of the gospel choir immediately began clapping and swaying to the beat as they lifted their voices, singing “Hallelujah.” The audience clapped along as the enthusiasm of the singers spread through out the chapel.
The Ebony Singers showed their versatility as they moved into their next song, “Lift him up.” The choir stood still with their hands clasped together during this spiritual, which featured the first four soloists of the evening.
“I didn’t want to be anywhere else in the world tonight but here, and I hope that you all are glad to be here. We’re glad to be here,” Monts said to the audience.
But he did not talk long, saying, “You all came to hear singing!”
Clapping resumed with the third song in the next segment, featuring six student soloists, all bringing an individual touch while the chorus sang, “I’ll serve you Lord.”
The Ebony Singers got a break for the next portion of the program as Monts announced, “I’ve got some young people…Would you all give some Wesleyan love to the Bird Boys!”
A trio of young brothers from Monts’s church came up from the audience and took their place in front of the choir to sing the next three songs, amazing the chapel with their dynamic voices and stage presence. The “Bird Boys” harmonized and performed solos singing fast, energized songs as well as a slower, calmer spirituals. A fourth younger brother joined the band on the drums.
For their last song, “Do not pass me by,” the group was joined by an additional three singers and finished to a standing ovation.
The Ebony Singers then continued to sing, singing three more songs.
The Ebony Singers dedicated their next song to those living with HIV and AIDS in honor of Monday being World AIDS Day.
“We don’t care how people get it, we just need to love them once they do,” Monts said.
The audience responded with applause of approval. The Ebony Singers then extended the dedication to American troops, both at home and abroad, and called for unity and support.
“It doesn’t matter which boat we came on to get to America. We’re all in the same boat now,” Monts said.
By the end, the entire chapel was unified in song. Linking arms, swaying together, the audience sang with the Ebony Singers “You are important to me. I need you to survive.” The singing continued in Spanish, “Te necesito para sobrevivir.”
“I thought it was really powerful having the whole chapel singing. It was very much representative of the rest of their concert, which really was all about involving the audience in the performance, which is the mark of a good gospel concert,” said Lynn Cartwright-Punnett ’07.
The audience members then sat down, but were quickly up on their feet again, clapping and moving energetically to the final song of the evening. The Ebony Singers finished singing and left the chapel. The band continued to play until the chapel cleared out.
The Ebony Singers meet and rehearse as a class and perform every semester. A large class, the choir has over one hundred students.
“I am definitely going to see the Ebony Singers in all of their future performances,” Coen said.
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