Wednesday evening, the University of Mississippi Gospel Choir hosted an open mic night at Shelter on Van Buren. The event was one of many events organized this week as part of UMGC week.
The first performance of the night was a spoken word, “What Could Have Been,” by A’Mya Jones.
“How can I move on as if the knife you decided to thrust into my heart doesn’t cause me to bleed out on every page of this poem,” spoke Jones. “It’s not right that you’re my Mr. Wrong. Ladies let me see your hands if you know him. He’s not bad, but he’s no good. He could be a good man if he only understood how to love.”
Jones’ moving piece was inspired by how her heart was broken by someone whom she allowed to view her soul. She said performing her piece was a way of releasing all the pain she had been carrying around.
“I was ready to release the things that I had no control over and get on with the next part of my life,” Jones said. “That was me finally forgiving him. Whether he is here or not, it was me openly saying –That’s it! I’m not going to let him have that power over me.”
Ole Miss junior Terrence Johnson later performed a musical medley comprised of “Weak” by SWV, “Hotline Bling” by Drake and “Somebody Loves You Baby” by Patti LaBelle. The medley was a crowd pleaser as people sang along.
“I decided to preform a medley because I think they are fun in general, and it gives you the opportunity to explore vocally and musically as a singer or artist,” Johnson said.
Other performances included “Fallen” performed by Tabitha Foster, “A Change Gone Come” performed by Donte’ Ferrell, Aaron Golden and Keat Johnson and “A Voice of A Savior” performed by Leah Davis. Additionally, Princess Hilton and Mia Barnes presented spoken word poems. The UMGC also performed two songs for the audience.
Terrius Harris, who felt this event was a great opportunity to have students and community members come and regain their values at a time where tensions are very high and people are very stressed, hosted the open mic night.
“God teaches us to love one another and to not spread hate,” Harris said. “I’m glad I came because I’m leaving here with less of a heavy heart and more joy within my spirit.”
After just coming to Shelter to get a drink and be out of her house, Oxford resident Betsy Chapman said the performances were very uplifting and heartwarming to see.
“It has been a rough couple of days politically. People are feeling a division. People are feeling a lot of emotion, fear and disappointment –it’s nice to see young kids coming together and talking about what issues they are facing,” Chapman said. “It was great to see young people doing really positive things in the community.”
This is the first year the organization is hosting UMGC week. Other events this week included Union Unplugged Thursday at noon at the Union Plaza and UMGC Picnic Thursday at Highland Square from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tomorrow’s events include an Alumni Mixer at 5 p.m. in the Union Ballroom and at 7 p.m. “The Royal Stage Play” at the Ford Center. The UMGC Inaugural Alumni Choir concert is Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Clear Creak M.B. Church.
“UMGC Week is a week full of events dedicated to the University of Mississippi Gospel Choir,” Lamario Moore, UMGC president, said. “It is a way to get members looking forward to our concert.”
Events throughout the week have also been curated to get the community involved with the choir. The organization is accepting donations for Wounded Warrior Project and Toys for Tots.
“This past Monday at practice, we recorded ‘Healed’ by Jonathan Nelson to feature with the GoFundMe for the Wounded Warrior,” Moore said. “Wounded Warrior is a fund that supports veterans.”
Originally called the Black Student Union Choir, the choir was founded in 1974. The organization was formed as a choir for the minority population attending the university. Since its founding, the UMGC has performed at numerous events for a variety of audiences.
“Over the years, the choir expanded to perform at events such as presidential inaugurations, Christmas tree lightings, and then emerged to be known as the University of Mississippi Gospel Choir,” Moore said.
According to their website, UMGC became the first collegiate choir to sign with a record label, Malaco Records, of Jackson, in 1999. Two years later, the album “Send Up the Praise” was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2001.
This year, the organization has been invited to perform at numerous events, including singing the national anthem at the first football game and at ice skating arenas around the Memphis area.
Although it’s too late to get involved with the organization this fall, the choir will be hosting an informational meeting the first day of spring semester. For more information about upcoming events or how to get involved stop by the UMGC office in the Student Union room 407.
