The 91制片厂 Gospel Choir is singing again, connecting the campus community through music.
Damon Mitchell, development director of outreach programs, believes you should use your gifts no matter where you are. Playing piano and songwriting are two gifts he鈥檚 brought to the Maryville community as the sponsor of the 91制片厂 Gospel Choir.
Mitchell knew from his experience as a pastor and playing piano for gospel choirs that Maryville students needed access to this different type of art form. He asked students at the annual Involvement Fair if they鈥檇 be interested in singing for the choir. Today, the choir is singing at annual events such as the President鈥檚 Holiday Celebration, Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration and Women Who Dare to Dream Luncheon.
To Mitchell, 鈥淚t鈥檚 been joyful. I remember in college thinking about how to make friends and get through the day. A gospel choir is a safe space that makes a difference in students鈥� lives. The looks I see in the choir members鈥� eyes let me know that songs are helping them on a personal level. I am teaching them challenging songs that many of them haven鈥檛 heard, which stretches them musically. I鈥檓 able to combine a passion of mine with my career. I鈥檓 proud that鈥檚 honored at Maryville.鈥�
With her mother as a choir director and her father as a preacher, first-year accounting major Olivia Harris, said, 鈥淕ospel music has been a huge part of my life, all of my life.鈥� Attending college without a car, she wasn鈥檛 able to be as actively involved in her church choir. Now, Harris has access to sing in the choir on campus.
鈥淚鈥檓 accessing good musical tools when singing with Damon. The Gospel Choir is kind of an outlet for me to meet new people, learn new skills and recognize there are others like me on campus.鈥�
During rehearsals, Mitchell asks the group how they鈥檙e doing mentally, emotionally and academically. Harris believes being part of the choir helps students reduce their anxiety and stress while even helping the brain.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a joy to watch people come out of their shells. In the gospel world, we would call Olivia a 鈥榖east鈥� because she can sing anything. Helping the singers progress and learn their parts is rewarding. And we have lots of laughter at practice,鈥� said Mitchell.
NOTE: This article originally appeared in the Spring/Summer 2023 issue of Maryville Magazine. It has been posted here with edits for clarity.