Gospel music, with its rich textures and history, has been elevated to new academic heights at the University of the District of Columbia. And the power of its status was showcased by local performers last Saturday.
The degree program combines classical music training with traditional and contemporary gospel. Its goal is to “raise the level of musicianship in the church and the public’s awareness of gospel music as an art form,” said Roderick Bell, an assistant professor of music and coordinator of gospel studies at UDC.
The gospel studies major are part of the ethnic studies track of the bachelor of music program at UDC, and although the major has been around since 1984, this will be the first year it will have a graduate.
This May, Kenneth Louis, director of liturgical music at Holy Comforter is expected to become the first graduate of the only known gospel studies degree program in the country.
“We teach people how to sing properly without hurting the voice. Some people do have problems, but this is due to improper training in the voice. The support has to come from the diaphragm,” says Mandle, assistant chairman of the music department.
Gospel singers often are limited because many cannot read music, said Jones, adding that critics often dismiss a gospel performer by saying, “She just sings.”
Although the gospel studies track is eight semester hours, students must earn 130 credits to graduate and satisfy the same requirements as any other music student. Thirty-five students are now enrolled in the program.
We haven’t heard the program introduced in Uganda yet but once our institutions adopt the program, we will give you the updates.
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editor@ugchristiannews.com/Photo (Courtecy) – Worship at Liberty Worship Centre lnternational Lugala
