After years of being only a dream, Campbellsville University’s new gospel choir held its first performance of the semester on Sept. 16, during The Vine in Gheens Recital Hall.
Since freshman year, Campbellsville University seniors Tomias Rushin and Makyiah Wood have been talking about starting a gospel choir to give students the opportunity to use their voices. Rushin and Wood, co-leaders of the choir, finally started the gospel choir last spring, with the help of Dr. Michelle Carter and Dr. Lawanda Hazard, choir director and mentor.
The process of starting the choir was chaotic, according to Wood and Rushin.
“We hit the road running,” said Rushin.
At first, it was just a one-time thing, but then they started to practice more. Through inspiration, they have begun to grow both as musicians and as a choir.
“One of the best things about it [is] you get to see the birth of God’s creation, but also planting seeds because, as this happens, we want people to feel comfortable and the songs we sing to tie people into the moment,” Rushin said.
Rushin went on to say that they want people to come into the performances blessed, but then to leave renewed. The choir is known for its energy. At first, they were feeding off the energy of attendees at their performances, but now the choir creates their own energy, and the audience feeds off it, according to Rushin. He also said the choir is very intentional about song choices.
The choir is spirit-led and spirit-filled, he said. They let the Holy Spirit guide them on what to sing and what to do or say while leading worship. Rushin views the opportunity to lead this choir as a blessing.
In the beginning, and even now, Wood said she really focused on what the Lord wanted her to do with this group of talented students.
“God has been downloading a message within me for so long,” she said. “I feel like I can finally just express what He wants to say. It’s not even about us, it’s about glorifying Him and honoring Him. That’s what the gospel choir is, just focusing on God and that’s what everybody needs to do.”
Hazard drives an hour and a half each week from Louisville to Campbellsville to lead the choir’s practice.
“Gospel music speaks to my soul,” Hazard said. “It speaks to my spirit. It keeps me grounded and in a constant state of worship. But it has ushered in much peace in my life.”
The choir’s goal is to share the faith of Christianity and the message of Christ with others from different backgrounds and cultures.
“Our goal is to reach and teach others about Christ through song,” Hazard said. “We just hope we’re able to speak to them through Christ and hope that we’re able to bless someone because we never really know what people are going through. God has basically entrusted us to spread His words.”
Hazard hopes the choir continues to grow, not only in number, but also in their relationships with Christ and one another.
Currently, the gospel choir has approximately 25 members. They are hoping to expand more, as most of the current members are seniors. Wood has been going around campus asking people if they can sing or if they enjoy singing as a means of recruiting more students for the choir. Wood said the choir is open to anyone who wants to join.
“We need more men, especially,” said Wood.
Anyone interested in joining the choir should contact Rushin at (859) 397-1891 or Wood at (502) 407-6091.
