By Michael Reckord, Contributor
Conductor Dr. Dale F. Voelker leads the members of the 37-strong Judson College Choir. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
BEAUTIFUL, SACRED music and passionate testimonies about the joy of finding Jesus were the main features of the recital by the Judson College Choir at the University of the West Indies Assembly Hall, Mona, St. Andrew on Saturday evening.
That performance was one of several in the Jamaican tour by the Illinois-based choir from January 2 to 12. Other concerts were given in Montego Bay, St. James; Spanish Town, St. Catherine; Ocho Rios St. Ann and Falmouth, Trelawny as well as elsewhere in the Corporate Area.
Led by their conductor, Dr Dale F. Voelker, the members of 37-strong, mixed-voice choir came to Jamaica on their Christmas break. They are scheduled to return to the United States today.
Judson College, an evangelical Baptist college not far from Chicago in the United States "challenges graduates to be... articulate proponents of biblical Christianity, persuasive advocates for the sovereignty of God over all life, and effective ambassadors for Christ." Not surprisingly then, the recital began with a prayer, which took the form of a song, Prayer Before Singing (Dan Hustad).
The short piece gave a taste of the quality of the music to come a high quality, indeed. Though young, the choir showed itself to be both well trained and blessed with excellent natural voices.
The group fortunately possesses impeccable diction, a necessary attribute for anyone trying to be heard in the cavernous, echo-filled Assembly Hall. A shortage of funds prevented the choir from getting a better location on campus, one organiser admitted to The Gleaner. (Incidentally, the concert was free to the public, though an offering was taken on behalf of the Mona Rehabilitation Centre).
In part one of the concert, with rich, well-modulated voices, the choir sang Praise to the Lord (F. Melius Christiansen), Sing to the Lord (H. Schutz) and Worthy is the Lamb (Handel).
The first-named hymn is very popular, probably being sung in some church every Sunday and I have heard it scores of times. Never before, though, had I heard it rendered so beautifully, with such a complex arrangement, with such delightful part-singing and harmonising.
The quality of that and the other items was in part because of the conductor, whose credentials show him to be a musician of the highest order. Head of Judson College's music division, he not only conducts the college choir but also its chamber singers. As an organist, he has given numerous recitals throughout the U.S. and internationally, and is a music researcher and editor.
As is the practice at musical recitals, part two contained generally lighter works. It started off with a medley of 19th century gospel favourites and moved on to a couple of African-flavoured gospel songs, complete with African drumming by one choir member.
The items included Shut de Do, African Noel, Somebody's Prayin' , and Elijah Rock, the last named being a dramatic piece filled with both speaking and singing. Most of the songs were lively, rhythmic songs, but only in two items did the choir actually sway or clap their hands. (Jamaican groups tend to make much greater use of their bodies when singing gospel, of course).
In each of part one and two of the programme, there was a testimony by a young male chorister about his life before and after 'finding' Jesus. The first declared he was a real 'doubting Thomas', but now he believes in Jesus' truth; the other admitted to being an abused child, but now he is secure in the knowledge that "God loves us".
In his own 'testimony', Dr Voelker said that singing in Jamaica in small churches, and orphanages, among other places had been "a wonderful experience". Some of the students, he said were reluctant to leave Jamaica's warmth to return to wintry Illinois.
