Gospel group sings for moms

by Merideth Kimble
For the Post

Ohio University’s Gospel Voices of Faith serenaded mothers with their annual showcase of praise and gospel music Saturday at the New Life Assembly of God, 10 S. Green Drive.

The Moms’ Weekend concert has been an essential part of the choir’s repertoire since May 3, 1975. This year’s concert included “The Lord’s Prayer” sung by OU freshman Tiana Mann, and four songs each half directed by senior Tiffani Wells and sophomore Romonia Jenkins, with two dances by Bop Stomp, a praise dance group. The group is affiliated with the Gospel Voices of Faith and directed by freshman Jesse Jones.

Francine Childs, faculty advisor to the choir, along with Jackie Simms of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church, founded the GVF. The student-run and directed gospel choir has performed on campus, toured and competed since 1974.

“When I came to Mt. Zion (the services) were so quiet. I talked to a young woman there and then students began to talk about wanting a choir,” said Childs, a professor of African-American studies at OU. “I asked students in classes and at church to join.”

Childs then began to arrange tours for the choir. With as many as 100 members, GVF has performed all over the country. Although the choir has not toured recently, the members are anticipating a tour next year, Childs said.

“We called it ‘the Tour of Good Will Friendship Tour,’” she said.

Childs also said the choir was sponsored and housed by churches where it performed.

GVF also competes in the National Black Collegiate Choirs in New York City — although the choir does welcome singers of all nationalities. This year, GVF took home the second place award and Wells was honored for her directing.

With the 15 to 20 current members, the Gospel Voices of Faith is composed of many different ages. High school and middle school students join undergraduate and graduate students. Performing currently with the group are a high school senior bass player and drummer who is a sixth grader from Botswana.

Mann, who will direct GVF next year, found the Gospel Voices of Faith to fill a niche in her life filled by family and school at home where she participated in choirs and sang with her family.

“I met a group of people who I’ve formed a close bond with. It’s not only on a physical and emotional level, but also a spiritual one,” she said. “GVF is more like a family.”

Mann said all members of the ensemble are free to suggest and help teach songs.

-The Gospel Voices of Faith meets for Bible study Friday at 5:30 p.m. in the Lindley Student Center and rehearses at Mt. Zion Baptist Church from 7 to 9 p.m. on Fridays.