From the first bell to the last, the South section of Eaglecrest is filled with the sound of music. Notes, pitches, and songs of every variety under the sun are wafted through halls and ears, like the sweet, succulent aroma of Sunday breakfast.

      The aesthetic atmosphere of the music rooms below is never bland or dreary, but alive and active.

      Now, a new melody can be heard, and it was unlike anything EHS expected.

***

     Few schools can boast about a live Gospel Choir Club. And even fewer high school students have considered it, but Jalen Martin (‘17) and Lauren Noble (‘17) are an exception.

     The new Gospel Choir is a student-led club, an idea 3 years in the making, calling to anyone and everyone, regardless of prior experience with the musical world.

     “Gospel music is really…a message through your words,” says Martin.

     Contrary to its traditional or jazz choir counterparts, Gospel music does not wholly derive from the use of technique as it does from the history and narrative it conveys.

     Also, when EHS students gather on Wednesday mornings, they don’t use sheet music-they simply, and beautifully, vocalize the lyrics as they partner with the piano (played by Noble) to tell tales of  heartbreak, praise, passion, and longing. There is no music quite like it.

     But what sets this group apart? How does this club show the true essence of “spiritual music?” And what kind of music should Eaglecrest expect?

     According to Martin, their songs will range from African gospel (rooted in songs from the Black South) to hymns. However, the goal is to move towards more contemporary rhythms, such as the renown gospel composer, Kirk Franklin, and songs from Sister Act and Disney Channel’s Let It Shine.

     “Most of the time when you do sing gospel in a choir, it’s usually slavery-type gospel like ‘Wade in the Water’, but we want more hip sounds…more gospel mixed with pop,” he said. “We want a culture of togetherness. Our biggest thing is that [regardless of race, religion, or skill], as long as you want to sing and have fun, that’s all that matters”.

Watch out! This trailblazing group of high-risers and “hallelujah” singers will be redefining more than gospel music, but music at Eaglecrest. Building character, community, and commitment, as it destroys the stigmas surrounding “Gospel music,” the hope is for complete and utter “world domination!”

Or at least a integrating liquid-like songs into solid-walled schools.