RELIGION

‘Indescribable’: Tabernacle Choir performs with African American glee clubs in Georgia

Sep 9, 2024, 9:05 PM | Updated: 10:52 pm

ATLANTA Singers from Utah to Georgia came together in a powerful show of unity.

The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square shared the stage Monday evening with two historically Black colleges in Atlanta. The Utah-based choir performed with the Morehouse College and Spelman College glee clubs at the Martin Luther King, Jr. International Chapel, bringing the audience to their feet numerous times throughout the concert.

It’s part of the Tabernacle Choir’s tour of the southeastern United States, and it’s a continuation of the collaboration between the singing groups that began last year.

“I think that the Tabernacle Choir being with us on our campuses is a wonderful thing,” said Elijah Gatling, a Morehouse College student and member of the school’s glee club. “It’s pretty much indescribable for me.”

The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square shared the stage Monday evening with two historically Black colleges in Atlanta. (Isaac Hale, Deseret News)

‘It feels like home’

For the singers of the Spelman College Glee Club – which bills itself as the “oldest collegiate choir of African American women in the United States” – rehearsing is nothing new.

But Monday’s run-through before the evening concert felt a little bit different for Simone Moales.

“It feels amazing. It feels like home,” said Moales. “It feels like reuniting with family.”

In this case, that family is the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square.

“I am more than excited – beyond excited – and extremely honored that the Tabernacle Choir saw fit to come to our home and share their songs of hope with us,” Moales said.

The choir is visiting Florida and Georgia on this leg of what’s called the “Hope” tour.

“The theme of our concert is songs of hope,” said Michael Leavitt, Tabernacle Choir president. “We want to remind them that hope is alive, and that hope is found in Jesus Christ and the goodness of helping our fellow man.”

An unlikely partnership

The collaboration between the choir and the two colleges started last year when Morehouse honored President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

President Nelson has made outreach to the African American community a top priority, especially since 2018 when the Church marked 40 years since the ending of a policy that limited Black members’ participation in the faith.

Part of that outreach is the collaboration with Spelman and Morehouse. They sang together in Utah last year on the program “Music and the Spoken Word.”

Now, they’re joining their voices in the south. The groups will perform again Wednesday evening at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta.

“I never would have imagined that that would happen,” said Leslie Darcas, a member of the Tabernacle Choir, of the collaboration with Morehouse and Spelman. “But it’s an amazing thing that has come about.”

It’s something the singers said is building a bridge in a divided world.

“With the state of our government, with the state of our nation, with the state of the world, we needed to see love amongst people from different walks of life,” said Gatling, the Morehouse College student. “I think this is what we needed.”

“If these two concerts have any inkling of hope in them – any inkling of freedom, any inkling of opportunity for us to unite – then I think we’ve done our job,” Moales said.

(Isaac Hale, Deseret News)

KSL 5 TV Live

Religion

The Church Office Building of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is pictured during th...

Tad Walch, Deseret News

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reiterates immigration policy centered on law, love

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued a statement Thursday reiterating that its approach to immigration issues is centered on love, law and family unity.

13 days ago

The Church Office building of The church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is pictured in Salt L...

Tad Walch, Deseret News

Church says ‘American Primeval’ misrepresents Brigham Young, calls series ‘dangerously misleading’

The violent Netflix limited series “American Primeval” is dangerously misleading historical fiction, said The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in a statement released Friday.

19 days ago

Alex Balint (middle) and Matthew Siliga (right) of the Adventist Development and Relief Agency spea...

Tamara Vaifanua

Looking Out for the Good: Church of Jesus Christ, Seventh-day Adventist Church celebrate 30 years of humanitarian partnership

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Seventh-Day Adventist Church are celebrating 30 years of partnership.

20 days ago

Ellis Ivory, the man tasked by Utah state and religious leaders to revive and restore This is The P...

Erin Cox

After 19 years of service, Ellis Ivory says goodbye to This is the Place Heritage Park

After 19 years of legacy and memories at This is the Place Heritage Park, Ellis Ivory says goodbye to a place he called home.

1 month ago

Some of the thousand attendees of SEEK in Salt Lake City on Jan. 2, 2025....

Garna Mejia

Catholic conference held in Utah for the first time

One of the largest gatherings of Catholics in the world is being held in Salt Lake City for the first time.

1 month ago

Jason Soulier and his wife Jennifer Soulier were serving as leaders of the France Lyon Mission. Jas...

Daniel Woodruff

Family remembers Latter-day Saint mission president who died in France

Family members of a Latter-day Saint mission president from Utah are in shock after he unexpectedly passed away in his sleep over the weekend.

1 month ago

Sponsored Articles

luxury living room with a classic white sofa and sofa, interior design...

Lighting Design

Revisiting home lighting trends for 2025

Looking for inspiration to revamp your home lighting? This article outlines some of the emerging lighting trends for 2025.

holiday gift basket with blue tissue paper and gingerbread cookies...

Kneaders Bakery & Cafe

Holiday hacks for a stress-free season

Get more out of your time with family and loved ones over the holidays by following these tips for a stress-free season.

2 computer techs in a computer shop holding up a computer server with the "hang loose" sign...

PC Laptops

A comprehensive guide to choosing the right computer

With these tips, choosing the right computer that fits your needs and your budget will be easier than ever.

crowds of people in a German style Christmas market...

This Is The Place Heritage Park

Celebrate Christkindlmarket at This Is The Place Heritage Park!

The Christkindlmarket is an annual holiday celebration influenced by German traditions and generous giving.

Image of pretty woman walking in snowy mountains. Portrait of female wearing warm winter earmuff, r...

Lighting Design

Brighten your mood this winter with these lighting tricks

Read our lighting tips on how to brighten your mood in the winter if you are experiencing seasonal affective disorder.

A kitchen with a washer and dryer and a refrigerator...

Appliance Man

Appliance Man: a trusted name in Utah’s home appliance industry

Despite many recent closures of local appliance stores, Appliance Man remains Utah's trusted home appliance business and is here to stay.

‘Indescribable’: Tabernacle Choir performs with African American glee clubs in Georgia