By Ericka Alston Buck
Special to the AFRO
The soul-stirring melodies of gospel music filled the air at the historic Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall on April 27 as the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) presented its highly anticipated GospelFest 2024. Led by conductor Dr. Henry Panion III, the evening promised a symphonic celebration of faith and music– and it delivered that and much more.
Grammy award-winning gospel superstar Donald Lawrence took center stage alongside the BSO, captivating the audience with his powerful vocals and infectious energy. But Lawrence wasn’t alone in delivering a mesmerizing performance– he was joined by two distinguished Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) choirs: the Howard Gospel Choir, under the direction of Reginald Golden, and the Morgan State University Choir, under the direction of Dr. Eric Conway.
From the moment the first note rang out, it was clear that this event would be more than just a concert– it was a spiritual experience. Waves of attendees swayed and sang along, punctuating the air with heartfelt “amens” and “hallelujahs.” The atmosphere was electric, reminiscent of a Baptist church revival, with choir members and audience members alike caught up in the spirit of the music.
Tuba player Aubrey Foard, a seasoned member of the BSO, reflected on the experience.
“For me, it’s not a typical gospel experience. There’s a lot of energy. There’s a lot of enthusiasm. There’s a lot of support when you’ve got a crowd behind you of friends and colleagues cheering you on.”
Foard reflected on how the choir supported the lead vocalists with praise, hand claps, affirmations and praises as they performed powerful numbers for those gathered.
Freshman Morgan State University student Zion Waters shared her enthusiasm once the concert was done.
“This experience has been amazing,” she said. “I love the fact that we were able to work with Donald Lawrence, one of the greatest gospel artists out here. I’m blessed and I’m very happy.”
The evening’s repertoire was nothing short of spectacular. Hits like “The Blessing of Abraham” and “Healed” had the audience on their feet, singing along with the performers.
Lawrence shared touching anecdotes, including the story of finishing the late Dr. Andre Crouch’s “Bless Me Indeed,” a song that left Crouch in tears upon hearing its transformation.
A highlight of the night was when award-winning songwriter and poet “Wordsmith” joined the HBCU choirs and the symphony orchestra for a remarkable rendition of “Glory” from the movie Selma, leaving the audience spellbound.
In the end, GospelFest 2024 was more than just a concert– it was a celebration of faith, unity and the transformative power of music.
As Lawrence himself proclaimed, the evening was simply about getting the audience ready for church in the morning. And indeed, it was an experience that left hearts lifted and spirits renewed, a testament to the enduring power of Gospel music.