By Hollen Dodds
Public Relations

Just as if it were a hot summer day, sweat glistened on the faces of jubilant vocalists as they raised their voices to hit the high notes. Members of MUSC's Gospel Choir sang their praises last month, conveying both excitement and rich emotion at the annual Martin Luther King program.

Gospel choir members Allison McFall, Armina Omole, Ashley Price, Casey Holmes, Karla Williams, Sharonda Williams, Amanda Green, Ellen Hardin, Aunya Nance, Beth Reynolds, Leah Jarrett, Mia Taylor, Sara Rush, Sarawathi Ramachandran, Suzie Ravenel, Tana Wells, Adam Hardin, Brandon Hagan, Cassandra Coakley, Darrell Hayes, Derek Leiner, Lawrence Wiggins, Rhett Deaton, Tara Frazier, Tyler Caruso and director Rev. Charles Ryan, center.

Rev. Charles Ryan, who works in the MUSC Physical Plant (Engineering & Facilities), is the director of the gospel choir.

Ryan established the choir, which now has 27 members, in 2005 following a suggestion from the Office of Diversity to bring gospel music to MUSC. The first performance was a program honoring King. It wasn't long before they were performing at various campus events such as the dedication of the new dental building and commencement ceremonies.

Nurse Suzie Ravenel has been a member of the choir since its inception. "As a child, I remember visiting a church with my father to watch a gospel choir performance. They blew me away with their energy and forcefulness, and I knew I wanted to sing gospel music if I ever had the chance."

The choir thrives on diversity. The members range from medical students to intensive care nurses. Second-year College of Medicine student and president of the choir, Josh Holmes, works as the liaison by making connections and scheduling performances. "I have gotten to know a lot of people I probably wouldn't have met otherwise," he said. "Also, singing in the choir is a great way to release stress and worship."

Choir practices are held every first and third Tuesday of the month in St. Luke's Chapel. The gospel choir will be performing Feb. 25 at Shiloh Seventh Day Adventist Church followed by a performance at Royal Baptist Church in North Charleston Feb. 26.

The choir welcomes new members whether they have musical experience or not. Ryan hopes to recruit new members for the choir and to share the joy of singing gospel.

"Gospel music is becoming a lost art in the community," he said. "I want to try to keep gospel choirs alive—that's what I am most passionate about."

For more information or to join the choir, contact Holmes at holmesjb@musc.edu.