Photos

Spelman Glee Club makes stop at St. Benedict the African

Members of the renowned glee club from Spelman College, one of the country’s two historically black colleges for women, performed as part of their spring 2023 tour at St. Benedict the African Church, 340 W. 66th St., on March 19, 2023. They also performed the day before at Sacred Heart Church at Divine Mercy Parish in Winnetka. The Spelman College Glee Club was started in 1924 and has performed at the White House and with music legends such as Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Members of the renowned glee club from Spelman College perform in the church. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Kerrington Griffin performs a dance to “Young Gifted and Black” during the concert. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Kerrington Griffin performs a dance to “Young Gifted and Black” during the concert. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
The glee club performs to a packed church. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Kevin Johnson, director of the glee club and associate professor at the college, directs the glee club. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
A soloist performs “City of Heaven.” (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Josephine Poelinitz, who arranged “City of Heaven,” receives a hug from one of the choir members. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Johnson engages with the audience. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Elaine Ransom performs a solo. To her left is a statue of the Holy Family in the sanctuary. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
The glee club performs “Children Go Where I Send Thee” arranged by Johnson. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Concert attendees react to the choir’s singing. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Johnson joins students on percussion and guitars. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Members of the Spelman College Quartet sing “Ev’ry Time I Feel the Spirit” in the second half of the program. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Glee club alumni join current members for school song at the end of the concert. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
The congregation gives the glee club a standing ovation as they exit the worship space. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

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