What Singers and Audiences are Saying Since the Tour
What a privilege it was for us to have such expertise as Joyce and Patrick to teach us how to properly sing the music of the African-American gospel tradition which was the style of the music we were to sing with lyrics from the Baha’i sacred writings. This tour then, was the first ever of this group and so was a history setting experience in so many ways.
What a privilege it has been to be able to sing such powerful wonderful
music in such historically significant parts of Europe ! - Ron Speer
and Cheryl Sensabaugh
As I've been sifting through my general impressions of the tour I've hit upon 3 items which stand out to me.
#1. Your leadership was exemplary. You lead without being dogmatic but with great humility. What an asset for such a talented man! The beauty of your spirit, the gentle but firm tone of your communications and updates on the latest snafus set a tone for the whole tour---of remaining flexible, loving, yet exacting in your expectations of our tour members. This alone was a great inspiration to us all.
#2. The opportunity to get to know, share with and find out about one another was a treasure. I doubt that any normal year would have yielded such a diversity of friends and the understanding of human nature and culture which comes from singing with, eating with, traveling with such a marvelous bunch of folks. It has truly been an opportunity for me to experience the myriad "gifts" of the human spirit.
#3. Music is a great binder and bonder of human relationships. It's also a great teacher. I had never sung gospel music before. Although I teach the history of black culture as it relates to jazz (part of my college humanities courses) it was essentially from the "outside" and from an intellectual point of view. The chance to experience the music of black Americans from within as a singer was precious. It literally gifted to me some of the cultural characteristics in which African Americans are strong (even if they were not obvious to others). As I watched the audiences in our first 3 venues come alive with the music (to me they at first resembled "stones" in the river) I felt that I, too, had been released from the "cultural straightjacket" of the modern, Western intellectual. Here, surely, is implanted the recognition and appreciation of diversity so central to the Writings of Baha'u'llah.
And, of course, I carry within me the music we sang every day: I wake up to the lyrics and tunes we sang; they are with me on the numerous daily occasions of my life like a magnet, drawing me back to the joyous shared experience of our gospel tour and to the writings of Baha'u'llah which inspired it.
Peace, joy and love,
Dr. Paula Drewek
Many thanks to you and your familly , Joyce, Patrick and all the Friends
It was a spectacular tour and special on many levels! Well done! -
Ruth Allen
I forgot to mention how much we enjoyed having some free time to tour around. George, Mitko and I (and occasionally the Camerons) became touring buddies, daily in search of what Mitko called "civilization" --
a leisurely lunch or cappuccino at a sidewalk cafe! - Roya Bauman
A friend of mine and of the Faith, attended the recent concert in London
and was thoroughly inspired and transported by the Choir. Now she
would like to buy a copy of their CD and so do I. can you let me know
how we can get these? - Margaret Carloa
I so much enjoyed your show and was delighted that 4 people from my office came along and each brought another friend with them. One of them was the cousin of Baha'is and was delighted to visit with one of her cousins after the show. - Roxana Djalili, London
I just wanted to convey what a pleasure it was to spend time with you all when I brought my piano to your Sunday rehearsal in London. Sadly I didn't get nearly enough time to get to know the choir members. I had been lamenting the fact that I couldn't afford to go on the tour with you all (despite having a fine voice and plenty of experience singing gospel music), so to be of service to the tour was very special.
I didn't get the chance to chat with many people, some of you may actually know of me through the joyful noise email list, some of you may have know my parents, Philip and Jane O'Brien who both worked at the House of Worship in Wilmette in the early '60s before marrying and pioneering to Ireland. I did speak to some of the singers at the performance, I was telling them that the non-baha'is who came with me
were brought to tears by the second song. Great job everyone. -
Shane O'Brien, London
May I first of all offer my deep thanks to the Baha'i Gospel Choir for your coming to the United Kingdom. I was so moved by the Choir and had a wonderful time at Acton Town Hall last night. You were all outstanding and I wish you continued success as you travel throughout
Western Europe. With warmest Baha'i Greetings…Jude Brown
Lewsiham Baha'i Community, London, United Kingdom
I think I'm just now beginning to come down off my cloud. The trip was just so amazing!!! It's even hard for me to convey it to people who ask. I just want to thank you so much for all the hard work and sweat that you and your family put into making this thing such an amazing
success. - Adrienne Ewing-Roush
I'm still flying high!!! Going on this Tour (for me) was such an incredible adventure. I don't have words to describe the joy I had on this trip. ….The first performance was something I shall never forget.
When the opening soloist began with "We have come to sing praises to our Lord," that set the tone for the rest of the concert…..The one thing I'll remember about this trip was the cooperation that this group of 100 singers gave to the directors and musicians. It was truly a wonderful thing. ..I had a wonderful time. ..Love you, Gwen
The tour was an incredible, spiritual experience that is unmatched in my 'limited tour experience'. The tour is a treasure for my heart and soul, we're ready to sign up now for anywhere you go! ….give our love to Cookie as well as all the rest of your wonderful family, not to mention Joyce, Patrick and Lester. What gifts they were to the tour, it is hard to imagine how the tour would have been without them!!! The whole experience has been a blessing….Love, Melodie
Many thanks to you and your familly , Joyce, Patrick and all the Friends It was a spectacular tour and special on many levels! Well done!
-Ruth Allen
Yes, what a wonderful tour it was!! - Cheryll Simmerman
The spirit of the tour is still in my veins. I think about it everyday and wish that I could really explain to the friends what really happened. However, there are just no words. Their has been such struggle over the years between the Africian and the European. This tour for me really brought the two continents together. Again thank you for the privilege of being a part of history. May the Blessed Beauty continue to surround and protect you and your wonderful family.
Love,Shirley
Greatness
Look up! Take notice!
They are coming forth this "new race of men."
They are devoted husbands, caring fathers, respectful brothers and best friends to us.
This "new race of men" are giving, thoughtful, connected, consulters and communicators discovering new ways of living together.
This "new race of men" are choosing wisely their own path to serve their Lord, family and community by changing old worn-out patterns of "shoulds."
Thank you, "Radiant Angels" for your patience and appreciation as we discover who we are today and who we will become as Baha'u'llah's maid servants.
Thank you, "Valiant Warriors" for hearing our cries and pleas for justice and equality.
Thank you, "Noble Champions" for respecting our boundaries, stopping abuse and interrupting racism and sexism.
Thank you, "Tender Hearted Lovers" for honoring and lifting us up as we learn how to fulfill our destiny and soar!
O "new race of men"
We can see your greatness!!
We love and adore you!
We notice your struggles and sacrifices!
We appreciate your intelligence, strength and efforts!
We are encouraged, grateful and hopeful!!
Joyce Olinga
July 2004 on bus to Germany during Baha'i Gospel Tour
New York City, Friday, June 28, 2002
Hammerstein Theatre at the Manhattan Center
10th Anniversary Bahá'í Gospel Choir Reunion In New York City
What the singers shared about performing with the Bahá'í Gospel Choir (Some Excerpts from your Many Emails)
I, for one, was extremely grateful for the opportunity to sing with so many fellow Gospel singers. I truly felt the spirit in both our rehearsals and performance. - Cara Hill
It has been a long time since I and my daughter have sung with a gospel choir
since leaving Antioch Baptist in Dallas, TX ; and singing with you all in NY
felt "at home".
- Elaine Austin-Harris
Singing with both choirs gave last month a dream-like quality, and I must say that singing with the gospel choir was more fun than I had had in a VERY long time! It was certainly one of the highlights of my life, and I am sure that for years to come it will provide many wonderful memories. Though singing with the other nearly 600 Voices of Bahá was also a tremendous experience, it just couldn't compare with the sheer outpouring of joy and exuberance and liveliness of singing with your choir. - Cheryll Simmerman
It was such a joy and honor to be a part of the Gospel choir, and to benefit so greatly from the direction of you, Joyce, and Patrick. I loved every minute of it! - Mim Gottschalk
I had a great time with the gospel choir. Those songs have been running almost continuously inside my head ever since. :) Thanks so much for all your hard work! - Wendy Scott
I'm not African-American so I hesitated to request to sing at first but then I thought that well, if my neighbor's AME Zion Church let me sing, why shouldn't the Bahá'ís? You, Joyce, Patrick and your family were so wonderful to everyone. I have been to church gospels choirs and revivals that were so moving I nearly jumped up to be saved! I venture to say this concert had a similar effect on many people. - Patty Whyte
Many of us will also carry around memories for days, years of this event. I also wanted to share with you an exchange I had with a Persian woman I happened to sit next to at the Persian concert. Her name I believe was Saideh Parvar. She began by telling me she had been to the wonderful gospel concert the night before. She indicated that there was such a "spirit" there that she could feel it. She felt that Baha-u-llah was there with us! She referred to feeling the "unity" reflected in all the different faces represented in the choir. It had been a spiritual experience for her. I remember your comments prior to the concert. After listening to Saideh's words, I believe your goal was attained. Audience members did in fact feel the joy of praising God. - Beth Fleming
I cannot thank you enough for opening up this wonderful experience to us of the "sway-challenged" persuasion!!!! I toured with Voices of Baha last year and your fears were not unfounded... it's one thing to sway and sing at the same time, but when you add clapping??!! It was a definite challenge and I cannot tell you how happy I am that you let us all sing with you in the gospel choir!!! I loved the variety of the music, the different styles... The songs were wonderful, the direction was fantastic and I'm hankering to learn more spirituals! The performance surprised me!!! An hour before the show was my most anxious moment, I felt like I couldn't remember anything we had rehearsed... but when you three magnificent directors stood before us, it was all so clear... you fed us the words, the hand signals worked, all we had to remember was to move the way that you moved and stop when you stopped (Kim helped me out with the stopping part ). And I so appreciated the instruction we received on stage presence from Joyce, I felt the power in that presence and it was FANTASTIC! In fact, all the hard work, learning all those songs, it seemed an impossible task at the beginning, yet so effortless at the end!!! - Sherry Sabin
Your patience with us "whiney" choir members was most exemplary.
And I could feel the emotion welling up inside of you as you were conducting
us. How could we not follow!
Bless you, Joyce and Patrick. Each and everyone of you were an inspiration
to me.
- Warren Odess-Gillett
I just wish to thank you for allowing me to sing with the gospel chorale. It really helped me to lessen the stress that I am feeling now. - Marian Lane
My aunt, who is not a Bahá'í, said that after the concert that it was the
most touching and lively Gospel she had ever heard, and the most touching too!
I enjoyed singing Gospel so much that I really felt like moving to Washington
DC to be a part of your choir there! But unfortunately, I have a good job that
holds me in Belgium for now. Perhaps one day... :)
- Lorraine Hetu
I heard a Persian rate the 3 concerts: Gospel #1. I'm sure many others appreciated
the strong presence of the Holy Spirit, the enthusiams, the artistry. I loved
working with Joyce Garrett.
- Lucy Weidner
I had such a wonderful time singing in New York! I'm still buzzing and singing and feeling connected to New York and the other participants. I looooove singing gospel. I was one of those people who would have liked having sheet music before hand.. Even though I learned lots at New York, I have just barely dipped my lips in the river of gospel and would really like to have an intensive gospel workshop... - Lindea Parnell
Thank You for allowing Adam and myself to sing with the Gospel choir. We will never forget the experience of singing in New York and appreciate the instruction and training from Dr. Joyce and Patrick. - Gil Muro
i d to be under your guidence and it is through this experience that i discovered that the music we sang on Sunday (The Voices of Bahá who would have profitted from a session with you!!) affected the spirit because it came from there (i cried during the beginning of two of the pieces!), but, but BUT, Gospel music affects the soul since it comes from there in the first place!! (i cried during most of those pieces!!!!!) - Alfred Cote
Sending you lots of love and prayers of gratitude to Bahá'u'lláh for the opportunity to serve in such an uplifting way. Thank you Van for having the courage to take a chance with us. God is goooooood! - Linda Fall
I don't know where to begin to express the deep feelings of respect and gratitude that I feel for what you were able to give us in the gospel choir. For me it was a first and totally amazing musical experience. The event in Mississauga on March 30 was wonderful but eclipsed by the Manhattan Centre on Friday. - Ron Speer
I had such a great time singing and learning from you three that words cannot begin to express my thanks. Thank you, thank you, thank you! - Melita Elmore
It was a phenomenal experience I will never forget. The audience did not want to leave. Working with Joyce and Patrick and the two wonderful musicians was added perfection. I hope we will all have this experience soon again to work together. - Jo-Lynn Gonzales
Being a Bulgarian (one of those swaying-challenged, tan-deprived folks :-) my exposure to Gospel came about in a very strange way -- through the music of Queen and Freddie Mercury who heavily borrowed from the Gospel singing tradition ("Somebody To Love", etc.). I also recall attending, as a child, a soul-stirring concert of a South African Gospel choir and Miriam Makeba in my home town. But nothing beats the joy of being a part of a Gospel choir myself :-) And you -- Joyce, Patrick, Lester, Michael -- helped us make our choir a bit more Gospel indeed! I can't tell you how proud I am for participating in this concert, and my wife Justin is even more proud of me. Sharing the joy of music does make both of us proud to be part of the wonderfully-diverse human family. So thank you again for making this experience so wonderful!
You and all the talented singers, musicians and directors opened our eyes
and ears to a whole new level of praising God! Thanks for making us proud to
be Bahá'ís!
- Mitko and Justin Gerensky-Greene
…we all have to thank you for letting us to sing in your spiritual choir....You let us to learn,enjoy, and experience a different kind of music, and you let us to feel proud to be a Bahá'í,as Miko and justin said before. I can’t express my true feelings (especially with my broken english). What ever they said, it seems that coming from my mouth and my heart. For sure singing with you was the highlight of my trip to New york. - Delaram Miremadi
How wonderful an experience. We were deeply moved by the performance, and I knew it would be sensational....and I wished I could have been in two places, up with the choir, and with the audience to get the full Spiritual Uplfiting and Exhilerating Impact....I know those I talked to were expounding praises for us all. a woman was waiting outside the Center, waiting for a bus for some time, and asked who were these people who were coming out of this building, with so much energy. She asked about the Faith, and wants to investigate it now. Of course, those in the audience...AWESOME....GREAT.....and other superlative adjectives that words could not truly express. - Gail Symonds
just a quick note to express my thanks to you in letting me be part of the Bahá'í Gospel Choir. What a wonderful experience it was. I'm still humming the music. - Sharon Patrick
It's a striking example of rising to serve and being led by the Concourse so things turnout as hoped for. I feel honored to have been in the Choir -- it was the highlight of my week. And working with Dr. Joyce -- precious beyond words! - Jacki Hagans
I plan to sing out in each one of our communities functions and to encourage
others to too. Ah, the songs we took home with us are so moving and speak to
the heart so fully. This is just the medicine which our communities need and
we can now give them. But let me just say that my soul has been flying and
happily singing in a great part to what I experienced in being in the Gospel
choir and I'm a much more effective human being in spreading joy throughout
the world now. And when going through tests in the airport in New York City
on the way home, me and another Bahai who was also there and going through
similar tests, looked at each other and began singing, "Cause me to taste
O my Lord! Thy divine sweetness!" Ah....how comforting and heavenly.
When I came out of the Gospel rehearsal and into the foyer beyond the ballroom,
I saw a radiant African American woman standing by her cleaning cart. Glowingly
she told me how much she loved the music and that the only thing missing was
a preacher! She said she had had to almost grab a hold of her feet and stop
them from dancing in to where we were singing and singing along with us! This
shining person came back during the week to hear us again, because she could
not attend the concert due to other commitments. She gave me a great big hug
everytime I saw her. Can you feel what I am trying to describe? The spirit
was so high, ah, it was ttruely like being in heaven on earth.
- Karen Lentz
Compiled by Van Gilmer, 2002