EMU’s Gospel Choir had their debut performance during evening Celebration on Sunday, Feb. 4. Creator of the group, junior Mikayla Pettus, shared, “It’s been brought up since my freshman year and continued to now. I made the group myself and had help promoting and support by Celeste Thomas, Tyler Goss, and the celebration team gave us opportunities, and David Berry accompanies us and supports our opportunities as well.”

That night their setlist included “Lift Every Voice,” “Revelations 19:1,” “Nothing Without You,” led by senior Josh Maloney, “Freedom” and “Grateful,” led by Pettus, and “Because Of Who You Are,” led by sophomore Donesha George.

Junior and gospel choir member Canyon Penner said, “It was an awesome experience making music with everyone on stage.” He went on to say that it was a great experience to be able to take part in the gospel choir, as he had never been part of one before. He recalls, “In church growing up I didn’t hear much gospel music; it was mostly Mennonite hymns.” Penner summarized that the main reason he joined was for the experience, and because he loved to work with Pettus and sing. 

Junior Emma Nord, who also was a part of the gospel choir, exclaimed: “I’ve never performed in a gospel choir before! It was really fun to perform with such a diverse group that cared so deeply about what we were singing and to be united by the music.” Nord reminisced, “My childhood featured more hymns than gospel songs. One of my favorite parts of singing with the gospel choir was the joy of gospel.” She continues, “Although I dearly love hymns, they can feel a bit academic or theological at times. Gospel music really emphasizes the joy which the gospel – the “good news” – is all about.” Nord concludes, “I love that different styles of worship help us connect with God and one another and remind us that God is bigger than our own experiences and traditions.”

“I wanted a space for Black students and students who are interested in gospel music to have an opportunity to sing music they grew up in or new music that they have never heard before,” Pettus shared regarding her motivation for starting the gospel choir. She’s passionate about the choir, and spoke to her joy that something like this could happen at EMU. 

Pettus emphasized the importance of this space for Black students, “I wanted a space to worship our way and in our vernacular.”

She shared that all of the songs sung in the first performance are ones she grew up singing in a Baptist church. “Gospel music is a part of my culture, and I wanted to share gospel with people to enjoy the same music as I did and many others growing up.”

Pettus concluded: “EMU had a gospel choir before I came in 2021, it disbanded before I got to experience it. I wanted to bring it back so I could experience it along with everybody else.” She goes on, “I think the tipping point for me was when I sang with VUU’s gospel choir. Then I decided I need to make this happen.”

The next gospel choir performance will be during Wednesday morning convocation on Feb. 21. The performance will be accompanied by Associate Professor of Music, David Berry.