Why Gospel?

"Through the African American spiritual one can catch a glimpse of the incredible resilience of the human spirit..."

What is Gospel music?

Greater Boston Arts website:
The first Negro spirituals were created during the time of slavery by the black community's spiritual leaders/historians, essentially the equivalent of the griots or community storytellers of Africa. They combined elements of their masters' church services with experiences of slavery and passages from the Bible into music that illustrates biblical messages. These are narrative songs, sung a capella, without the upbeat rhythm that would later infuse the Gospel and Jazz traditions.

Why sing Gospel music?

Stephanie Dowrick, Australian writer:
“The liberation of group singing for me is that it’s an art form where I don’t have to be the best, where my ego is not involved... where all I have to do is experience the music.. rather than experience my ego through the music. That’s the most amazing liberation. Why gospel? ... I like the uninhibited worship of it. I like the fact that it’s music that comes out of suffering, and transforms suffering.. it’s very forgiving music - I mean it’s forgiving of the people who sing it in as much as .. even if you haven’t got a great voice you can sing it - and, in it’s actual intention, it’s forgiving...”

Embracing the African American Spiritual in a Post Modern World - Anthony Brown: (Artist in Residence: Hesston College Hesston, Kansas)
The spiritual had a vital function in slavery. Not only did it have hidden meanings concerning escape from bondage it was to assist in accessing the spirit so as to give power, emotional strength and hope to a beleaguered people. It was this music which aided every generation since the emancipation proclamation to keep the faith and stay rooted in things of the spirit. It was this music which was the foundation for the blues, jazz, gospel and now rap music. Its improvisational style emphasised freedom and movement and served as a metaphor for the hopes and dreams of an oppressed people. ...Through the African American spiritual one can catch a glimpse of the incredible resilience of the human spirit. It is little wonder that these songs have universal appeal, for they awaken within us our primordial human need to be connected to Transcendence, and they offer hope to all who struggle to be free from all forms of oppression.
How... By singing together! - learning some basic gospel songs, encompassing the themes of:
*empowerment of the individual
*communication with others in similar situations / circumstances / emotional states
*connection with other people (singing group and audience) and with your own spirituality