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CAROLINA CHIMBANDA: We’re singing to God, we’re also singing to each other. I think worshipping is a communal activity. So we’re able to just recognize how awesome God is and celebrate that.
ADDIS BELAY: That was second-year Loyola student Carolina Chimbanda, a member of the Alpha Omega Campus Ministry Chapter at Loyola University. For students like Chimbanda, music is more than tradition. It’s connection, emotion and identity.
[music]
ADDIS BELAY: From The Daily Northwestern, I’m Addis Belay. This is Sound Source, a podcast about the music scene on campus and beyond.
On Easter Sunday, the voices of Northwestern Community Ensemble’s talented singers rose in praise at their 55th Anniversary Concert entitled “Raised to Praise” with guest artist and Grammy award winner Jekalyn Carr.
The event drew in students, alumni and Evanston residents. Visitors gathered not just to listen, but to experience something deeper:the intersection of music and faith.
CAROLINA CHIMBANDA: I think of the scripture where it talks about if we don’t sing, so will the rocks and so will the trees and so will the birds, and so I think it’s super important to be able to worship God.
ADDIS BELAY: Marie Carr (Weinberg ’90), a former member of the Community Ensemble, said the role of music in nurturing her faith could be described as “critical.” Carr said gospel music is special because of the gospel, or biblical teachings, that go into it.
MARIE CARR: I believe that a lot of the scripture put to music experiences about our journey with God, the power that music has to do that across kind of musical genres, and also across cultural experiences, is, like, mission critical.
ADDIS BELAY: For Carr, gospel music has become a guide, offering comfort and support in moments of uncertainty.
MARIE CARR: Sometimes when you can’t think of what you’re doing or where you’re gonna go, a song comes to you. And that song gets you through.
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ADDIS BELAY: And beyond just the song, Carr said she has also found a community from being a part of a choir.
MARIE CARR: I feel like the camaraderie, it goes so much beyond singing the song. It’s really jelling like you would in a band.
ADDIS BELAY: Even Christian students on campus who don’t perform gospel still find music to be integral to their faith, like Weinberg junior Kieran McLean.
KIERAN MCLEAN: Sermons are great. It’s good to hear the word and read the word, but listening to music — it makes you feel something that just reading can’t make you feel.
ADDIS BELAY: McLean said he still finds himself connecting to his faith through music, even though he won’t be on a stage anytime soon.
KIERAN MCLEAN: I cannot sing. But, love gospel music with all my heart, man.
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From The Daily Northwestern, I’m Addis Belay. Thanks for listening to another episode of Sound Source. This episode was reported and produced by Addis Belay. Taariq Ahmed contributed reporting.
The audio editor is Wallis Rogin. The multimedia managing editors are Ruby Dowling, Isabella Jacob and Matt Wasilewski. The editor in chief is Anavi Prakash.
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—Alice Millar Chapel Choir returns with ‘Joy and Light’ performance after August disbanding
—‘Gays and Gospel’ event honors Black and queer gospel singers