Choir brings joyful noise to New Orleans

Alyssa Mitchell, Photo Editor
Published On: 09/ 8/2008

Members of the Gospel Choir brightened spirits last week as dark clouds still loomed over New Orleans.

“Our provost, Eli Capilouto, gave me a call on Labor Day to have the Gospel Choir sing to help comfort the evacuees. He thought it would be a great way to break up some of the tension,” Director Kevin Turner said.

Turner described the atmosphere he found there as ‘sobering,’ since many of the victims wondered if their homes remained standing.

“When we arrived, there were people just walking up and down the stairs. Many had covers over their heads while lying in the cots,” Turner said.

Several members of the Gospel Choir came quickly, although there was not enough time to assemble the entire group.

“Some people came through in just hours,” Turner said. “First guitarist William Barnes agreed to come, so we set up a small stage in the upper level with amps, keyboards, microphones and everything we needed to give a performance. We ended up playing some gospel songs and cover tunes for 45 minutes.”

As more members of the choir, such as Curtiss Glenn, arrived, the atmosphere in Bartow Arena began to change.
“In fact, he brought his entire band, ‘Curtiss Glenn & Levitical Praise,’ including the background singers, and even supporters showed up, and had the evacuees up on their feet and singing along,” Turner said.

When curfew rolled around, it was time for the choir to say goodbye, despite the desire to stay.

“We did what we normally do, and I believe it was uplifting,” Turner said. “By the time we left, there were tears of joy. It was extremely sad because people were mouthing ‘thank you’ to us.”

Turner called it an honor to be a part of the Red Cross’ efforts to help evacuees after helping start the American Red Cross Helps In Need program.

“It was a pleasure to serve,” he said. “It was really great to see people of all races, creeds and cultures to band together and help one another. I felt proud to be a Blazer that day because it is one thing to bring food and clothes, it is better to show that you care.”
 

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