SJBC Celebrates Black History Month

The Concert and Junior Varsity Choirs of The St. John's Boys' Choir hosted a celebration in honor of Black History Month at the historic Paramount Theatre in St. Cloud. The concert featured the young choristers performing music of the African diaspora ranging from African folk music and following its progression to spirituals, gospel music and jazz. The boys joined with members of the Nu-Way Missionary Baptist Church Youth Choir, an all-black ensemble that delighted the audience with music from the gospel tradition. All the young singers were thrilled to collaborate with acclaimed special guest, Jearlyn Steele. Ms. Steele was an inspiration for all the choristers as she worked with them in two rehearsals prior to the performance.

Music transcends racial barriers

The St. John's Boys' Choir were a featured guests at the Changing Faces conference and workshop hosted by the Saint John's School of Theology and CSB's Companions on a Journey program. The Changing Faces series seeks to engage more people in transformative approaches to intercultural ministry. This particular workshop dealt with the topic Black and Catholic: Social and Cultural Challenges in Ministry. The boys presented a program of sacred music, ranging from Gregorian chant to music of the African diaspora. Their program was followed by a lecture by Dr. M. Shawn Copeland on African roots in today's Church.