Trinity Repertoire Reflects Deep Music Roots

Pianist Melvin Bryant Jr., who will accompany Trinity in concert.

     PARIS--Trinity Choir's one-hour performances in Paris, Bruges and Amsterdam will spotlight the complexities and colors of African American music.

     "It creates a cultural enigma," says accompanist Melvin Bryant Jr. "They love gospel music so much but they can't quite recreate it."

     That's one reason director Joyce Garrett's musical choices lean heavily toward gospel and spirituals. As Mr. Bryant quips: "Classical music . . . They've got that all day long."

     So Trinity will give the people what they want--the good news with sharps, flats, soaring solos and choral crescendos powerful enough to shake up the EU, including a soulful sax solo performed by Tempora Fisher on Amazing Grace.

 

Sax soloist and Trinity alto Tempora Fisher.

 "It was the first song I played in public as a kid. . . in my home church in Opelousas, Louisiana," says Dr. Fisher, a veterinarian who sings alto in Trinity and is also a violinist and pianist. "My late grandmother loved to hear me play that song. It's timeless, like a Shakespearean sonnet. And it's spiritual because it says, in the end . . . He's your Savior."

     Here's the planned list of songs:

HYMNS and ANTHEMS

-Sing Unto the Lord, a New Song by Gordon Young

-Amazing Grace, arranged by Evelyn Curenton

-The Majesty and Glory of Your Name by Tom Fettke

-Glorious Medley, arranged by Omar Dickenson

SPIRITUALS

-Every Time I Feel the Spirit, arranged by William Dawson

-I'll Never Turn Back No More by Nathaniel Dett

-Rockin' Jerusalem by Andre Thomas

-Spiritual Medley, arranged by Hines-Garrett-Hogan

-Done Made My Vow, arranged by Nolan Williams Jr.

-I'm Determined to Walk With Jesus, arranged by Raymond Wise

GOSPEL SONGS

-Jesus is a Rock by Glenn Burleigh

-Hallelujah is the Highest Praise by Anthony Pattin

-I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say by Shelton Becton

-Gospel Medley, Traditional and by Andre Crouch

-O Happy Day by Edwin Hawkins

-This is the Day Medley