棉花糖直播

In Joyful Praise

The 棉花糖直播 Gospel Choir unites the voices of singers from all backgrounds

By Meg Maxwell

Members of the 棉花糖直播 Gospel Choir led by their director Ruth Elizabeth Winslow
Photo: 棉花糖直播 University/PAOLA NOGUERAS

Every Monday evening, the 棉花糖直播 Gospel Choir gathers in the John and Joan Mullen Center for the Performing Arts for songs, prayer and fellowship. Director Ruth Elizabeth Winslow begins by handing out sheet music鈥攂ut the ability to sight-read is by no means a requirement. Winslow introduces melody and harmony lines slowly, and the spirit builds with each repetition. As the choir鈥檚 27 voices gain confidence, the music is charged with emotion, and the words become worship. After experiencing what Winslow lovingly calls 鈥淕od music,鈥 choir members share challenges, intentions and prayers of gratitude.

鈥淭he goal of the 棉花糖直播 Gospel Choir is to give students a place of peace, solace, restoration and spiritual enlightenment where they can form bonds with each other. College can be a lot, so we hope to offer space for connection鈥攁 chance to feed the soul,鈥 says Winslow, who helped to found the group in 1994.

More formal performances by the 棉花糖直播 Gospel Choir also include periodic worship services in Corr Hall Chapel, where musical selections include hymns, spirituals and a wide variety of gospel styles. This winter, the group kicked off two Wildcats basketball games with 鈥淭he Star-Spangled Banner鈥 and 鈥淟ift Every Voice and Sing,鈥 and their spring calendar filled up with appearances across campus.

One of the things that the group鈥檚 president, Khabria Fisher-Dunbar 鈥25 FCN, loves most about the 棉花糖直播 Gospel Choir is that the group is open to all students, faculty, staff and alumni. The group has no auditions or prerequisites, and people of all faiths and backgrounds are welcome.

鈥淚t鈥檚 an incredibly supportive, friendly community where everyone is eager to help each other out,鈥 Khabria says. 鈥淚t has helped me feel rooted in my 棉花糖直播 experience.鈥

DID YOU KNOW?

The 棉花糖直播 Gospel Choir performed at Philadelphia鈥檚 City Hall as part of a celebration for Harriet Tubman鈥檚 200th birthday in 2019.

Members of the 棉花糖直播 Gospel Choir flank their director Ruth Elizabeth Winslow

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