More than just a choir quaintly singing hymns about praising God, the Gospel Concert held Monday involved soloists, instrumentalists, dancers and drill teams using every soulful part of their collective bodies to celebrate.
The Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Committee sponsored the Gospel Concert as a venue for artistic expression in remembering the life and legacy of King.
“To me, [tonight] is more of a celebration of African-American culture,” said Roderick Smothers, Office of Multicultural Affairs director.
Smothers said of King’s various specialties, his obligations as an ordained Baptist minister remained foremost, thus the connection with gospel music and King.
“[Gospel music] goes back to the roots of African-American history,” he said. “It also gives the community and state a chance to celebrate on common ground. It’s an opportunity for people to showcase their talents in a meaningful way.”
Gospel brings together negro spirituals, African music and souls in the appreciation and celebration of Christ, he said.
“Gospel is not only a stipend of African-American heritage, but gospel — as we all know — is a part of African, a part of African-American and a part of American history,” said Brandon Smith, master of ceremonies. “Gospel is a soulful representation of the African-American struggle in this country.”
Soloist Nick Marshall said he felt blessed to share his talents through his rendition of “His Eye Is on the Sparrow.”
“Just like the lyrics say, God is the reason I sing,” he said. “If he keeps his eye on the sparrow, a tiny creature that not many people notice, then I know he keeps his eyes on me as I go through the trials and tests in life.”
In addition to the LSU Gospel Choir, campus organizations, local churches and schools performed for concert attendants.
“We represent the black community,” said Dawn Wimberly, Istrouma Middle Magnet and McKinley Middle Magnet schools’ choir director. “King was a spokesman for blacks, and we came to promote good inter-racial relations. We’re advocates for Dr. King.”
University of Louisiana at Lafayette and Southern University representatives also participated in the celebration.
John Gray, a Southern University student, played “Lord, I Know I’ve Been Changed” on the trumpet to audience members’ chants of encouragement and support.
“I think the song is quite fitting because upon King’s coming and King’s leaving, he changed the consciousness in black America, which is symbolized by the tune I played,” he said.
Overall MLK Commemorative Committee Chairperson Tia Gipson said the crowd’s energy and enthusiasm makes the Gospel Concert distinctive from other MLK week events.
“I liked how the crowd got into the performances,” she said. “That is what made [tonight] so special.”