Livingstone College

SALISBURY – The Livingstone College Gospel Choir performed at the Festival of Praise concert at Greensboro Coliseum on April 6.

The choir sang backup for national gospel recording artists Fred Hammond, Donnie McClurkin, James Fortune, Erica Campbell and Charles Jenkins.

The choir entered the stage wearing all black and later changed into blue jeans and black shirts — fitting since the Blue Bears’ colors are black and blue.

The Gospel Choir was the only choir accompanying each gospel artist in the Festival of Praise’s “Texture of a Man” concert.

The concert weaved skits between performances that explored situations that men are confronted with, particularly highlighting their relationships with women.

“Texture of a Man is about the inside of the gladiator, the warrior,” said McClurkin. “It’s about men who are afraid of rejection, who have failed at relationships; men who give biblical instructions but can’t take that advice for themselves; it’s about men who don’t know how to use the one word ‘help.’”

After the concert, the choir members met with Fred Hammond and took a photo with him backstage.

Livingstone College President Jimmy R. Jenkins Sr. attended the concert with his wife, Faleese Moore Jenkins.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for these students. This is a night they will never forget,” he said.

Pastor Christopher Gray, professor of the Livingstone College Gospel Choir, said this type of exposure is great for the choir, which will soon release its first album.

It was Gray’s connections that landed the choir the opportunity. A representative from Fred Hammond’s office contacted him about the Festival of Praise Tour and asked if he could pull a choir together.

“I’ve got a choir for you, and it’s a college choir,” Gray said.

The choir learned 35 songs in two weeks to prepare for the concert.

To view videos of the choir’s performances, visit www.livingstone.edu.