HVP will host annual Gospel Extravaganza

As the school year winds down members of Emporia State’s Harmonious Voices of Praise will host their annual Gospel Extravaganza at 6 p.m. on April 12 at the First Baptist Church of Emporia.

“It’s a way for students to come together and sing the gospel of Jesus Christ” said Addison Canidy, junior communication major and choir director.

Harmonious Voices of Praise was started at ESU in 2003, and was intended to be an additional way for students to participate in a choir type setting while singing a new type of music. The organization began with only a small group of women, who sang both alto and soprano parts but were unable to have a full choir setting because of the lack of male singers in the group. The group has now expanded to include almost 30 members, includes all vocal parts and has become a true gospel choir.

“This year we have reached almost 30 members and have a strong grouping of most female and male singers,” said Jessica Sandifer, freshman physical science education major. “We are hoping to grow even more in the future.”

Each year, members of Harmonious Voices of Praise present and participate in the Gospel Extravaganza. The extravaganza features performances form a variety of gospel singers and groups. Members have been practicing for their performance since the beginning of the year.

Practice is held each Tuesday evening at the First Baptist Church at 6 p.m. The group is made up of students who simply love to sing and choose to worship through singing. Anyone is invited to participate in the group and there are no auditions or selection process held.

Because the group is hosting Gospel Extravaganza, they have been working hard to raise the funds to provide for the event. To spread the word and raise money, the organization will be having a prize drawing at Saturday’s event.

Harmonious Voices of Praise has also had a table set up in Memorial Union since Monday, where students can purchase a raffle ticket for a dollar. If four tickets are bought the fifth ticket is free. The table will be set up for the remainder of the week and the raffle includes a number of prizes.

“Prizes include a 1GB Sandisk MP3 player and a number of gift certificates to Wal-Mart, Hibbet Sports, and Coburn’s Family Restaurant” said Jackie Orr, junior education major. “The drawing will be held during extravaganza so you must be present to win.”

Harmonious Voices of Praise has been working hard to get their name out around campus as well as the community. They are hoping to have a great number of students and faculty attend Gospel Extravaganza.

“Currently we have posters for the event up and around campus on the poster route,” Canidy said. “We also have sent out posters advertising the events to churches around Emporia, we really want to have a strong attendance this year.”