Annual Spring Musical of Spirituals and Gospel
A Concert featuring a variety of soloists and choirs, including the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Adult and Youth Choirs, with Special Guest Jacqueline Hairston
Saturday, March 20, 2010, 7:30 p.m. - doors open at 7 p.m.
First Congregational Church of Oakland
27th and Harrison Streets.
Free Admission A Free Will Offering will be taken
Phone: 510-839-4361
Website: www.oigc.org
History:
Founded in 1986, the choir was the outgrowth of a local annual jazz camp. Kelly, the son of musicians, created the choir in response to demand for a permanent singing group.
The organization stands for diversity, tolerance and unity and spreads this message through its music. The full gospel choir includes more than 50 vocalists. There is also a smaller ensemble group and a youth choir. Auditions are held annually.
The choir is now a Bay Area institution known for its annual holiday concerts in Oakland and San Francisco. It performs year-round at local events such as Oakland's Art and Soul Festival and the Monterey Jazz Festival. Choir members also donate their time to perform at prisons, homeless shelters and hospitals.
The choir has toured the country and appeared in New Orleans, Atlanta and Portland, Oregon. The group has also taken its music overseas with concerts in Israel and Australia, where it won the Gold Award from the International Music Festival in Sydney. Its audiences have included Nelson Mandela, South African Bishop Desmond Tutu and Mikhail Gorbachev.
The Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir has recorded three albums and contributed tracks to albums benefiting community service organizations.
