Senior Michael Preacely Directs "Voices for Christ" in a Program of Spirituals and Gospel Music, on Sunday, March 12, 4:30 P.M., at Rust United Methodist Church Story and Photos by Michael Chipman
	THE PROGRAM My Lord what a morning Mary had a baby Precious Lord (arr. Thomas Dorsey) I've been 'buked Ain-a That Good News I Will Bless the Lord More Abundantly We Worship The Vision Holy Spirit Thank You RELATED Baritone Michael Preacely Wins First Place in Leontyne Price Vocal Arts Competition		Senior Michael Preacely, from Chicago, Illinois, directs the Oberlin-based gospel chorus, "Voices for Christ." "Voices for Christ builds bridges and makes connections," says Michael Preacely, a senior from Chicago, Illinois, and voice student of Richard Miller, Wheeler Professor of Singing and director of the Otto B. Schoepfle Vocal Arts Center. "The music of VFC bridges the town-gown divide through its broad appeal to students and the Oberlin community. VFC musicians have diverse interests and backgrounds that provide a connection between the College and Con. And I think we also often bridge the racial gap between blacks and whites." Preacely directs Voices of Christ (VFC), an Oberlin-based gospel chorus that performs spirituals and gospel music throughout the Midwest. The group will perform in Oberlin on Sunday, March 12, 4:30 p.m., at Rust United Methodist Church (128 Groveland). The concert is free and open to the public. Courtney Andrews ('02) from Seattle,Washington, and Daniel Seigfried ('01) from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, will accompany VFC at the piano, with David Hughey ('02) also from Pittsburgh, as assistant director. VFC, originally the "Black Student Ensemble," was formed in the 1960s with a focus on spirituals and classical music. Later, the group moved from classical music toward gospel music and changed its name to Voices for Christ, opening up membership to any interested student, regardless of race. Preacely joined the group during his first semester at Oberlin and became music director three years ago, replacing his predecessor, Claudine Henderson. "My history with gospel music extends way back to when I was a kid in church," he says. "When I listened to choirs sing, I would think, 'I'd love to do that someday.' I also attended church conventions and spring musical presentations of choral music. In high school, my choral conductor Kenneth Lennon was very influential. In his choir we sang spirituals and classical music at a very high level. I would like to see VFC at that level. His love for the music and his ambition for excellence inspired me. "I would not be at Oberlin if it were not for Kenneth Lennon," says Preacely. "In fact, he is coming to see the opera." Preacely will play the part of Leporello in the Oberlin Opera Theater production of "Don Giovanni" that runs March 15-18. "Someday I would like to start my own chorale," says Preacely. "I definitely want to conduct."
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