Baha'i Gospel Choir in the news:
2004 European Tour of the Bahá'í Gospel Choir:
- Tuesday, June 29th – London, UK
- Thursday, July 1st – Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Saturday, July 3rd - Brussels, Belgium
- Sunday, July 4rd – Luxembourg
- Monday, July 5th – Luxembourg
- Wednesday, July 7th – Stuttgart, Germany
- Friday, July 9th – Bahá'í House of Worship, Langerheim, Germany
- Saturday, July 10th – Frankfurt, Germany
Baha'i Gospel history unfolding:
- Bahá'í Gospel Choir at the Bahá'í World Congress - 1992
- Bahá'í Gospel Singers
- Bahá'í Gospel Ensemble
- Bahá'í Gospel Choir Reunion in NYC - 2002
- Bahá'í Gospel Choir on Tour in Europe - 2004
Bahá'í Gospel Choir on Tour in Europe - 2004
The 2004 European Baha’i Gospel Tour brought singers from eleven countries and from 25 US states under the direction of Van Gilmer from Maryland, U.S.A.
The choir consisted of 93 singing members and musicians as well as additional support staff and family members. The music presented was both from the traditional Negro Spiritual and the African-American gospel styles with the gospel music based on the Baha’i scriptures. Both musical styles were performed as the theme of devotion and dedication to our Lord. Typical music included “Cause Me To Taste, O My Lord, The Divine Sweetness” and “Done Made My Vow To The Lord.”
The choir was also blessed with the support of a special guest director of international reputation, Dr. Joyce Garrett. She was assisted by Patrick Lundy (accompanist and composer who introduced a new version of “Let There Be Peace On Earth”) and percussionist Lester Saucer, all from the Maryland area. The choir featured many fine soloists and singers with approximately 50% of them from African descent. The interesting and unique aspect of the choir was that the other members were willing and able to learn to sing in the gospel style of the African-Americans.
The choir came together in London on June 26th to meet each other and rehearse for this historic tour. They presented their first concert in London on June 29th. The next five concerts were given in Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Luxembourg, Stuttgart, and Frankfurt. The choir was also invited to sing at the Baha’i House of Worship in Langenheim, Germany for the Martyrdom of The Bab Holy Day. The music was divine and there were only a few dry eyes. The choir returned to their homelands on July 11.
Most of the concerts drew large audiences with many seekers present. The music was well received and every performance had the audience on their feet, clapping and swaying to the exciting gospel music, demanding an encore with standing ovations and sometimes stomping their feet. The concerts always ended with the music “Love Me That I May Love Thee” and had the audience participating in the final verse, “I Give Up, I Give Up On Hate”, always in the language of the country.
The concert venues were mostly either beautiful old churches or town halls which had audiences of several hundred people.
The concerts were often organized by individuals with the assistance of some Local and National Spiritual Assemblies. Universal House of Justice Member, Mr. Kiser Barnes, stated that special prayers would be said at the shrines for the success of this teaching trip. He had encouraged Van Gilmer and other musicians for many years to use the powerful music from the African American experience (particularly the Negro Spiritual) as the focus for opening the hearts and presenting the Baha’i Faith to the world.