THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, July 22, 1994 TAG: 9407200150
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 18 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ERIC FEBER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 81 lines
- Psalm 66
FOR AMATEUR GOSPEL singers across the United States, Chesapeake will become the land of milk, honey and dulcet tones next month.
The 28th annual Virginia Gospel Singing Convention will take place Aug. 12-14 at Indian River Middle School.
The convention, open to amateur singing groups from all over the country, will feature free-style singing sessions as well as competition and performances by many of the area's best known and most popular Gospel singing ensembles.
How big is this gathering of groups converging in Chesapeake to sing praises to the Lord?
``We've gotten big enough that the mayor of Chesapeake will be there on Saturday at 7 p.m.,'' said Ken Channell, event organizer who's been with the convention for the past 26 years and is a member of The Galileans singing group.
``We started this convention with nothing, maybe a couple of hundred people attending, now for the weekend, we'll get anywhere from four to six thousand people in the audience and scores of groups singing,'' Channell added.
The event's size is not only good for gospel music but also a plus for the city's economy.
``We know it helps bring business to Chesapeake,'' Channell said. ``All these people come here, and they need rooms, and they have to eat. Word about this convention is spread all over the country. We get groups from all over Virginia, Ohio, Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia, North and South Carolina, Maryland and beyond.''
Channel said the event began in 1966 at Norview High School in Norfolk. The following year it moved to Chesapeake, where it has been ever since. Although it has taken place at Oscar Smith and Deep Creek high schools, the group has settled on Indian River.
``We like the Indian River location,'' Channell said. ``It's central to all of Tidewater and easy access to the interstate.''
Usually, the convention is held in the large Indian River High auditorium, but this year it had to move to Indian River Middle School because of asbestos removal at the high school.
``It will be a slightly smaller venue, and we're sweating it a bit,'' he said. ``But we'll do fine. Everybody will make it work.''
Channell said Friday's entertainment will be provided by established and well-known groups from the area that have won first place awards in the past or that have performed at the convention regularly.
Saturday's and Sunday's activities will be limited to free-style singing and competition. About 50 to 60 groups are expected to show up and sing, he said.
``These may be amateur groups,'' Channell said, ``but many are so good they could all quit their jobs and go professional.''
Competition, which takes place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, is divided into two age categories: Juniors (up to age 14) and Adult (15 and older). It's open to all amateur duets, trios, quartets, quintets, family groups and choirs from anywhere in the country.
Before and after the Saturday and Sunday competitions, the event will be devoted to free-style singing, where groups can let their hair down and just sing for the thrill of it.
The musical styles will encompass all types of Southern Gospel music. Selections will mainly include classic and standard Gospel songs, with a few originals here and there. Most of the groups will bring in their own musicians and combos; some will use backup instrumental tapes and a few will sing a cappella.
Whatever happens, Channell said the crowds can expect joyful sounds of close-knit harmonies and voices in praise. There will be no sermons or converting.
``We don't preach,'' he said, ``all we do is sing.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
The Galileans singing group will close Friday's schedule, beginning
at 10:36 p.m.
by CNB