The soulful sound of gospel music will fill Cohen Auditorium tonight, Friday the 13th, turning the supposedly unlucky day into one of song and celebration.
With approximately 165 members, the Tufts Third Day Gospel Choir is the largest student ensemble on campus. The group is very diverse, and attracts students regardless of religion, ethnicity and major.
"You don't have to be African American or religious to get something out of it," David Coleman, the choir's director, said, "The bottom line is celebration through struggle."
The theme of tonight's performance is the "Praise and Worship Experience," a title which denotes the music's spiritual past. The choir's repertoire will include traditional gospel music and more modern pieces, some of which were composed by Coleman. Although gospel music is still evolving and modern day choirs are growing increasingly multicultural, gospel music still has many ties to African American Christians, who were largely responsible for its creation. Coleman keeps this in mind when directing the choir.
"I try to teach lessons in the historical context around the music," he said. The past has been a heavy influence on gospel music, combining the spirituality of hymns with the rhythm of jazz and blues. According to sophomore Alexander Paraschos, the vice president of the choir, the music's past and the choir's diversity allows for unique discussions about religion and race.
"You can't have gospel music without religion, and traditionally black music, and these factors make people ask a constant question: 'What's my role in the music and how can I take something away from it?'" Paraschos said, "We're restructuring the gospel choir and working on having these conversations about religion and race."
No matter their background, everyone can find meaning in the choir's music, according to Paraschos.
"What's so special about gospel is that people find their own ways of interpreting songs. It might not even be spiritual. People might just be there for the high energy music," Paraschos said.
Energy is something that the choir isn't lacking. Moving, clapping and smiling are part of the performance, and audience members are encouraged to participate. Performers often make eye contact with members of the audience, and Coleman chats with the audience between songs.
"It's very high-spirited music. Gospel tries to break down the barrier between performer and audience. You feel like you participated in, not just watched, something," Coleman said.
Paraschos attributes much of the choir's popularity and energy to Director Coleman, who began teaching at Tufts last fall.
"David's a hilarious dude. Half the time he's directing, and half the time he's doing his stand-up routine. The group grew a lot in popularity after people saw [our last] concert and saw how much fun we were having, and I think that's a testament to David and what he has brought to the music," Paraschos said.
"He has a very good balance as far as the drive and discipline to get the songs learned, but to keep it light and keep things in perspective. He brought a tremendous amount of energy and commitment."
Aside from its entertainment value, gospel music fosters a strong sense of community among the audience and the performers.
"Visually seeing that many people together is moving enough, but seeing these people of different religions and ethnicities singing and relating to each other and smiling, seeing that alone makes one feel that there is a chance for world communion and community," Coleman said.
Gospel music has many messages for its audience, and whether that audience is religious or not, these messages still resonate in the modern world. The choir's name, for instance, is drawn from Christianity, but signifies a deep and universal sentiment.
"The Third Day has everything to do with the fact that Jesus was killed, but defeated the grave on the third day of his death. It's about revival. It's about victory over struggle and strength over weakness," Coleman said.
