Community members in the City of Orange are set to gather on Saturday, June 10, at 7 p.m., for the 2nd Annual Gospel Voices of OC staged concert, a multi-generational artistic celebration of gospel music presented from 1865 to the present day.
The production, led by Debora Wondercheck, founder of Arts and Learning Conservatory in Costa Mesa, will be held at the Musco Center for The Arts, Chapman University: 337 N. Cypress Street in the City of Orange.
“It’s time for Orange County, and our nation, to understand who we are as a people; our artistic excellence and what we bring to the table. The history we experienced is American history, and I thought we needed a Black and Brown-stringed orchestra, and classical music written by Black Americans long gone, but never forgotten,” explained Wondercheck.
“We’re focused on gospel music, the very cornerstone of our ancestors’ faith. The hope we had for centuries to deal with all the craziness comes from faith in God and the church congregation. This is where GVOC comes from,” she added.
Arts and Learning Conservatory is a performing arts school that provides students with confidence and creativity through musical summer camps, theater productions, and afterschool band and string classes. Operations Director Teisha Hutchins works closely with Wondercheck on organizational strategy.
“It’s about making arts education programs accessible to all kids. And not just arts education, but high-quality arts education,” said Hutchins.
“What we’re bringing to southern California’s youth culture is the experience of not only learning how to perform on stage, but language arts, inclusivity, collaboration, the forming of friendships and getting along well with others. It’s information that translates to the rest of their lives,” she noted.
Music Education Director Edwin Lovo, who heads ALC’s youth program and oversees all aspects of instruction while working closely with teaching staff, said, “I get to see our kids’ development and growth under the tutelage of our teachers. My vision is giving our kids the confidence to play in front of an audience, and excitement in coming to class every day.
“My favorite part is the finished product; kids who perhaps had no idea how to even hold an instrument playing whole concerts. When a kid says, ‘This is my favorite class’, then that becomes the goal,” recalled Lovo.
Outlining what guests can expect to witness when attending the concert, Wondercheck insisted,
“You’re going to experience something you’ll never forget! A five-year-old will see somebody on stage that looks like them. To our older groups, the music is going to take them back from Negro spirituals, to [gospel singer and composer] James Cleveland, to modern day music. We’re going to make this performance exciting to everyone who comes out.”
For tickets, parking information and COVID-19 protocols, visit https://bit.ly/43zMNTn.
