Family through Worship: United Voices of Praise

As a college that strives for diversity and community, most groups on campus struggle to find a wide appeal while embracing all sorts of people. But one musical ensemble has been consistently described by members, leaders, and its many fans as a "family." That group is the gospel choir, the United Voices of Praise (UVP)."UVP has existed as a group by that name for at least 12-15 years," says Doug Curry. Curry, the Minister of Worship on campus, was the faculty advisor to the group for a few years starting in 1999.

However, according to Hierald Kane-Osorto, former Director of Multicultural Programs, a gospel choir was connected with the Black Student Union sometime in the 1970s. Later, when the Office of Multicultural Programs was formed in 1989, the group was connected with the office.

The group has undergone a number of changes over the years. Before Curry took over advising duties of the group in 1999 and brought it under the auspices of College Ministries, UVP was a somewhat unaffiliated student group. "The group was a student organization not tied to the music department or virtually any other department except for multicultural programs," says Curry.

In the fall of 1999, a split nearly occurred in UVP. Tensions arose in the group over who was there because "they liked the music, but weren't really about the soul," says Curry. In the late fall of that year, Curry had a meeting with the leaders of both sides of the tension. "You're going to minister together and lead together," Curry told them. This attempt to get the leaders to work together was the beginning of what is now called the UVP Council.

According to senior Joy Oakes, student director of UVP, the group has big plans for this year. Bruxy Cavey, who spoke at chapel last year, has invited UVP to sing at his church in Canada over spring break. This follows on the heels of a successful tour in the spring of 2009, when the group went to Ohio and sang at area churches and schools.

Oakes emphasized the familial closeness of the group that developed during last year's tour. "It's amazing to see how much everyone's grown and come together.to praise God," says Oakes.

UVP is almost entirely student led. Dwight Thomas and Ernie Tilman are the faculty advisors, but the Council takes care of most of the administrative and musical issues in the group, from booking engagements, to selecting and teaching music in rehearsals. While this presents challenges, the peer leadership encourages the family atmosphere.

For Cimone Phillips, a senior who has been involved since her sophomore year, UVP "defines the meaning of community within an ensemble on campus." Phillips is a part of the band and involved in the Council. "We're not just here for the ensemble--we're here for our spiritual growth as well."

People who attend UVP's engagements tend to give very positive feedback. "I've not been that moved by worship in years," Phillips recalls a parent said at the end of the year Concert of Praise last spring.

Students are big fans, too. Jonathan Edwards, a senior graduating this December, has asked UVP to sing at his wedding this coming January. After hearing UVP sing in chapel, he says that he and his fiancée "decided that's the kind of music we wanted for our wedding." They will have the bridal procession sung instead of played on instruments and have a time of worship at the wedding as well.

Calvin Tucker, a member of the choir who will be graduating this December, says that the group is always welcome for people to audition. "Just show up on a Monday rehearsal," he says, "and we'll get you an audition with a group later."

UVP's Christmas Worship Concert will be held Saturday, December 12 at 7:30 pm in Hostetter Chapel. They will be doing a mix of contemporary Christian songs, favorite hymns, and special songs like Mary Mary's "Shackles.