• printer friendly
• mail this article
• iPod format
• digg

Photo

Envision Vocals, a UCLA gospel choir, is seen here before winning first place at the recent Gospe

Ranging from respectful choir performances to “The O.C. Chrismukkah Mix,” holiday music is often hit-and-miss. For the faithful, though, hearing genuinely religious music can be a profound experience.

UCLA’s Envision Vocals crafted such a moment on Nov. 20, winning the prestigious McDonald’s Gospelfest competition.

Envision Vocals, part of UCLA’s African Arts Ensemble, is a campus gospel group. The long-running Gospelfest is an annual charity event founded by McDonald’s and presented by Disney. The competition celebrated its 20th anniversary this year with a “grand finale” at the Shrine Civic Auditorium.

Gospelfest began in earnest five months prior to the competition, whittling down the groups to a few talented finalists over the qualifying rounds and semifinals. Envision won first place in the adult choir category, demonstrating the experience and years of practice that has garnered them performances in Las Vegas, San Diego and around Los Angeles.

“There was a show held by a church in Las Vegas, not to dedicate the church but to promote the church and showcase it. So (we) performed at a performing arts theater in Las Vegas last year,” said Gerren Bennett, a third-year sociology student.

Bennett, who had never sung in a group before Envision, jumped right in.

“My cousin was part of the group, so I’d been talking to her about it. I started singing February or March of my freshman year,” said Bennett.

Gospel music is about community, and the relationships forged are as strong as any family ties. Envision has a powerful group dynamic which grew throughout the competition. Aside from performing at Spring Sing last year, the McDonald’s Gospelfest was the group’s first attempt at competitive performance.

“We don’t really sing competitively too often,” said Bennett. “When we have special performances or big performances coming up, (we rehearse) maybe two or three times a week to really prepare.”

So much practice turned the group into a very close-knit choir, and this closeness showed on stage. Beyond winning Southern California’s only major gospel competition, Envision is now receiving offers to perform around Los Angeles, as well as here on campus, including last Friday’s performance at the African Arts Ensemble’s fall showcase.

Envision initially discovered the Gospelfest because of an impressed audience member, who contacted Tim Ngubeni, the group’s director, and told him about the opportunity. The group took full advantage, and now their success and name recognition is growing on a daily basis. Still, they may have already achieved their greatest honor.

“Nobody has said anything about national competitions,” said Bennett. “To my knowledge, this is as high as it is.”

Comments

Post a comment