Sounds of shalom

Taylor musicians of all styles and cultures unite to present a colorful Christmas celebration

December is just around the corner, bringing with it a vast array of emotions. Children anticipate tackling, somewhat literally, the mosaic of boxes under the Christmas tree. Parents nearly go up the wall trying to find a parking place at the mall for last minute shopping. But at Taylor excitement builds for campus-wide holiday traditions, including the Taylor Chorale's annual Christmas concert, Sing Noel: Christmas Around the World. Lending their voices to the concert with Chorale this year are the members of Taylor's Voices of Praise Gospel Choir. "It's just a wonderful collaboration," said JoAnn Rediger, Director of the Chorale. "(Sing Noel) will have an international focus and different cultures and different kinds of music . . . . It will be a lot of fun." Rediger has directed the Chorale since she came to Taylor as a music professor in 1996. "I was approached by Dr. Rediger before the year started with the idea of working together," said Gospel Choir Director senior Mwangi Maina. "She loved the idea of finally working together and the ideas (the Gospel Choir) had on how to program everything." Different kinds and styles of music will highlight Sing Noel's international focus. The Gospel Choir will sing one of its own songs, "Magnify" before joining the Chorale for two songs: "Hope for Resolution," which the Chorale taught the Gospel Choir, and Israel Houghton's "Hosanna," which the Gospel Choir taught the Chorale. "We get the chance to see each other's rehearsal style and style of singing," said senior Chorale member Jenna Clark. "It gives us an open mind about both of those, and it's a learning experience along with ministry through music (to) each other." The Chorale has been a part of Taylor since the school was founded. Taylor Sounds, the chamber vocal ensemble, has been around for the same amount of time, albeit under different names. Music majors are required to be involved with specific ensembles, and Chorale is on that list. "(It) was kind of something required for my major," Clark said, a Church Music Ministries major. "I loved it." Clark has been involved with Chorale since her freshman year, which was the first year Taylor offered the Church Music Ministries major. She joined Sounds her sophomore year and fulfills the role of Senior Assistant Director of Chorale this year. But the Gospel Choir is a much younger group, having originated in the 1990s. Maina got involved as a drummer his freshman year when a Gospel Choir member noticed him air-drumming. "She asked if I played drums," Maina said. "I said yes, she told me to join the choir, I said sure, and that was that." Maina has played the congas since age eight and a regular drum set since age 14. Maina also said the Gospel Choir has collaborated previously with the Taylor Jazz Band, and he looks forward to working with the Chorale. He said he hopes Sing Noel "will mark the beginning of our groups working together more often." Each choir has a unique musical style. The Chorale focuses primarily on performance-based ministry, while the Gospel Choir gets the audience more involved with worship. The Gospel Choir focuses solely on gospel music, and the Chorale sings music from the Renaissance to 20th century jazz. But their goal is the same: to spread the Gospel of Christ to all who may hear. "Here at the university, there are just so many parts of the kingdom of God," Rediger said. "We want to unite in praising God and thanking God for His Son . . . . It doesn't matter the style. It's the message." Sing Noel will take place at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow in Rediger Auditorium following the annual Christmas Banquet. Admission to the concert is free.