Samantha Hirschman | Assistant News Co-Editor

Buena Vista University (BVU) Concert Choir hosted the first ever Spiritual Festival on Friday, Apr. 10. The Spiritual Festival was a full day of activities for the BVU Concert Choir, Morningside College Choir, and Simpson Choirs.

Throughout the day, students learned the history about what a spiritual song was. They were also able to sight-read music with American composer and arranger, Stacey Gibbs. Selected students were also given the opportunity to sing for Sequina DuBose, an opera singer from New York City.

“I thought it was a very great experience. I felt very fortunate to have worked with Stacy Gibbs and to watch Sequina work with the master class. It was a tremendous day and proved to be a very rewarding concert,” soprano for BVU Concert Choir Megan Coats said.

To finish the event, there was a concert to showcase each school and their own music. The last song of the concert was “My Souls Been Anchored in the Lord” where the choirs all sang together under the direction of Dr. Stacey Gibbs.

BVU Choir Director, Dr. Merrin Guice, explains that this year’s festival went very well, and she hopes to hold it again next year. She felt that the day was enjoyed by all. She had great comments from the other schools’ directors.

“Next year, I hope to have a full weekend for the event. I want to have a different type of music style for each day, and hopefully more schools can come!” Guice said.

Photo courtesy of BVU Choir