
DATE: Monday, March 3, 1997                 TAG: 9703030050

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B1   EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA 

SOURCE: BY PHILLIP PURYEAR, CORRESPONDENT 

DATELINE: HERTFORD                          LENGTH:   86 lines

YOUTHS JOIN VOICES TO DELIVER MESSAGE PERQUIMANS HIGH STUDENTS WANT TO OFFER HOPE TO THEIR AUDIENCES

There is an air of enthusiasm as members of Inspirational Voices enter the band room of Perquimans County High School for practice on a Monday afternoon.

The musicians warm up with riffs while members of the singing group go over lyrics or catch up on the latest classroom gossip.

However, at 4 p.m., it's business.

Members and observers form a circle so that all hearts and minds are in accord.

After the invocation, new members are greeted with applause and pats on the back. It's what members call ``an inspirational welcome.''

Afterward, choir director Tamika Stepney, with a little help from her father and adviser, Donald Stepney, settles them down. Then they sing.

Even with the loss of a couple of tenors to basketball practice, voices fill the band room as they sing ``I'm a Believer.''

The harmony of the voices, the thump of the drum and the trill of a keyboard create a powerful sound.

However, many of the 52 members of Inspirational Voices say people are moved by more than the music when the group sings in concert at local churches or schools.

``When we sing, we aren't ourselves,'' said Jamen Mitchell, a 16-year-old junior and the son of a minister. ``Especially when we are in concert. The anointing of God comes in, and we don't sound like ourselves.''

Other members said they believe there is an intrinsic power to the music that affects not only others, but also affects them personally.

``People may not think that music has an effect, but it does,'' said Shanita Baley, a 16-year-old sophomore, who is a member of the group and a cheerleader.

``I can come in here dragging and with a bad mood. But after singing, I feel so much better.''

While inspirational music is gospel music, a form familiar to those who grew up in the church, members maintain that their only goal is inspiring hope and not preaching.

The uplifting and inspiring nature is the reason members decided to sing that type of music, adviser Tammy Miller said.

Miller and members of Inspirational Voices place a great value on hope, especially for those communities where they are faced with drugs, teen-age pregnancy and violence.

``I live in New Jack, where I have to be in by 6 because of all the violence,'' said Baley, two of whose cousins have been shot. ``Sometimes it seems hard to survive. But I'm out to prove that some good can come out of a bad community.''

Baley shares that mission with the rest of the members of Inspirational Voices. They are not only dedicated to singing, but also empowering themselves, so that they can better themselves and their community.

Although Inspirational Voices isn't a school group, that dedication is what persuaded PCHS teacher Wendy Stover, school office assistant Miller and security guard Donald Stepney to offer their help to the group.

That dedication is also why the group has earned the support of PCHS Principal Elaine Pritchard.

Said Miller: ``It's easy to sit back and criticize. However, we want to bring about a positive change in the community and these children's life.''

Miller and Stepney agree that they have seen a change because they have seen less of some of the members in the office - and in trouble - since the group's inception in November.

Many members said that through Inspirational Voices they have found that key to change.

Said 17-year-old junior Colbert Modlin: ``It's respect for each other and respect for ourselves. It is also a commitment and dedication to singing the praises of God.'' ILLUSTRATION: Hoping to inspire through song

[Color Photo]

BRENDA LASSITER/Perquimans County Schools

Members of Inspirational Voices say singing makes them feel better.

They hope it has the same hopeful effect on their listeners.

MUSIC OPERATIONS

The musicians warm up with riffs while members of the singing group

go over lyrics or catch up on the latest classroom gossip. However,

at 4 p.m., it's business.

Members and observers form a circle so that all hearts and minds are

in accord.

After the invocation, new members are greeted with applause and pats

on the back. It's what members call ``an inspirational welcome.''