The gospel choir project 2016 is a gospel project of a group of German men and women around Grünstadt and it environs. The Gospel choir project was found in 2011 and it has since grown in membership over the years, providing top-quality gospel music, concerts, Festival, confirmation etc.
The Gospel Choir Project 2016, performed last sunday at the Martin Church, in Grünstadt; to celebrate the Pentecost Sunday. At the opening of the service, the choir lined up from the entrance of the church to the altar where everyone took the opening song, "Bless The Lord". Bless the Lord is one of my favorite songs that reflects the goodness, mercy, and power of God.
One of the things that are unique about the group is the harmony of the different vocal and the orderliness. Based on the quality of training with the help of the choirmaster 'Volker Güterman' and talent and the love for gospel genre the group performance at various events is unforgettable.
The Gospel Choir Project have been since 2011, one of the big events is usually the performance on the Pentecost Saturday and Sunday since Pentecost is celebrated on two days, Pentecost Monday is usually an official holiday in Germany.
However, the Pentecost is a Christian holiday, which is celebrated on the 50th of the Easter season that is 49 days after Easter Sunday. While in Africa (Nigeria) we often celebrate the Easter season and it always national holiday but we don't celebrate the Pentecost day. I get to know and hear about the Pentecost for the first time in Germany and yet I'm Christian. I guess to find out a lot of Christian holidays in Germany which is for me very interesting. Also, in some regions of the Germany, there are special Pentecost customs such as; the planting of the Pentecost tree, the Pentecost wreath, pentecost OX, but I think the gospel choir should be held in high regard; as it brings joy to the soul of the singers and the listening.
My experience and observation of the last performance; firstly, I would like to talk about the uniform of the choir, everyone wore black trousers with colourful blouse and i was the only one wearing a dress with a church hat. And i asked one of the choir hope I'm not looking odd because by us in Africa (Nigeria) we often wear a dress and hat or head gear to match to church. And she said yes, 'i'm right' most people in other parts of the world dress different way to church, some might even allow to wear a jean to the church. And secondly, the gospel choir project made me appreciate my love for singing the gospel in Germany because on a normal Sunday the German Evangelical Church (Martin Church) way of worship and service is quite different from the Nigerian Pentecostal churches. Their service is been carried out with all manner of quietness. Unlike the Nigerian Pentecostal church where the people sing, clap their hands and make a joyful noise to God. (Africa church are louder).
After the sermon from the priest, the church had holy communion around 10:50 am. I notice in the German church (Martin Church) they often take holy communion at special events while in Nigerian Pentecostal Church holy communion is been taken as part of the church ritual on a regular basis. The holy communion lasted for 25 minutes (10:50-11:35 am) and the gospel choir continued with singing.
How beautiful it is to sing the gospel genre, music breath life into the soul of a man; no wonder, singing enhance the lungs to be healthy and be in a good condition. These german men and women received an unprecedented ovation, they are certainly doing well, by bringing the gospel genre into every events, it does light and brighten the occasion.
After the pastor has blessed everyone; the gospel choir ended the service with the Traditional Gospel Medley.
"I like more the Traditional Gospel Medley"- Gert Uwe
The service of songs ended at 12: noon and everyone left rejoicing. What a happy way to celebrate the Pentecost Sunday every year with the gospel choir project! Looking forward to the rest of the concert this year, and year to come by God's grace.
List of song: Bless the Lord, walk together children, Komm, Heiliger Geist, power of your love, Take me as I am, We give thanks, Der Herr segne dich and lastly Traditional gospel medley.
List of song: Bless the Lord, walk together children, Komm, Heiliger Geist, power of your love, Take me as I am, We give thanks, Der Herr segne dich and lastly Traditional gospel medley.
Queendaline Schneider.
