Community

Hallelujah! S.L.C. Sings a New Tune

by Amy Scoville

Thursday April 5, 2007

The very first Sarah Lawrence Gospel Choir revealed itself to the campus last month, accepting all students regardless of their experience.

“We are completely, entirely, and totally student-run,” founder and co-chair, first year Christine Spinelli said. “It is not your average singing group.”

According to the club mission statement, the choir accepts everyone, with or without musical experience, who has the motivation to join and to sing. No payment or auditions are required.

The choir currently boasts 30 membesr who attend the meetings, with 49 supporters on the internet.

“I was a little nervous about the level of interest,” Spinelli said. “I was definitely surprised and pleased with the turnout.”

The choir also makes it clear that there are no religious affiliations or expectations tied to the group and that their main goal is to create a comfortable musical environment.

The choir is divided into the traditional singing range categories featuring soprano, alto, tenor, and bass sections.

“We came together to fuse a Southern Gospel and a modern style to create a new tempo for traditional songs,” Spinelli said.

Even though they are entirely student-affiliated, the club is receiving help from Patrick Romano, director of the SLC Chamber Choir and Women’s Ensemble. “The gospel choir is a wonderful chance for kids to get to sing very uplifting and ‘soulful’ music,” Romano said. “The interest and the passion are there, and, from what I’ve seen, it’s off to a great start.”

The choir is currently working on various song pieces to perform, including “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” “Down to the River to Pray” and “Rock the Lord,” which they hope to perform at the Spring Concert in May.

The club stands by its motto, a Zimbabwean proverb, ‘If you can walk, you can dance. If you can talk, you can sing.’

The choir meets on Thursdays from 6-8pm in Andrews 101.