You’re invited to join the choir — the Peninsula Men’s Gospel Singers — in one, two or three concerts this weekend, all featuring a sing-along of that gospel classic “This Little Light of Mine.”
The Gospel Singers are on an Easter season circuit of Clallam County: free one-hour performances in Port Angeles tonight, Sequim on Saturday and Joyce on Sunday.
‘Mini-tour’
“This little mini-tour is a reprise of our spring show,” which drew an enthused crowd last month, said choir director Michael Rivers.
“It’s a great chance for anyone who missed that show,” to hear the choir’s new songs along with the recently formed brass band, which will provide accompaniment for “This Little Light.”
The singers pack a lot into an hour: “You Raise Me Up”; “Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen” with baritone Steve Campbell’s solo; “Deep River,” featuring tenor Dan Cobb; “Loving God, Loving Each Other” with bass Dave Meyer; and “Glory, Glory” with Rivers’ solo are all on the set list.
Here are the times and venues for the mini-tour:
■ 7 p.m. tonight — Independent Bible Church, 116 E. Ahlvers Road, Port Angeles.
■ 3 p.m. Saturday — Dungeness Valley Lutheran Church, 925 N. Sequim Ave.
■ 6 p.m. Sunday — Joyce Bible Church, 50470 state Highway 112, Joyce.
Each performance will feature Rivers on piano, playing with the brass band composed of Peninsula Men’s Gospel Singers members, as well as accompanist Penny Hall and sign language interpreter Karen Coles.
Band within the choir
During the audition process last year, Rivers discovered that tenors Barclay Jennings and Gordon Shipps play trombone while baritones Michael Craig and Mike Perry are saxophonists. Let’s form a band within the choir, said the director. And, though it had been many years for some of the players, the brass band was born.
“[Rivers] thought it would create a fun atmosphere during some of the sing-along activities,” said Craig.
‘Breaks the ice’
“It’s quite hilarious to watch and certainly breaks the ice with the audience.”
If asked, the choir will close the concert with an encore and a second sing-along: “How Great Thou Art” — and “maybe even ‘Amazing Grace’ if the spirit moves,” Rivers said.
The Peninsula Men’s Gospel Singers have more concerts in the works after this weekend, as well as a couple of CDs.
For more about the organization and its history, visit www.PMGospelSingers.com.
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Features Editor Diane Urbani de la Paz can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5062, or at diane.urbani@peninsuladailynews.com.
