Family through Worship: United Voices of Praise
Andrew Exner
Issue date: 12/10/09 Section: Entertainment
As a college that strives for diversity and community, most groups on campus struggle to find a wide appeal while embracing all sorts of people. But one musical ensemble has been consistently described by members, leaders, and its many fans as a "family." That group is the gospel choir, the United Voices of Praise (UVP).
"UVP has existed as a group by that name for at least 12-15 years," says Doug Curry. Curry, the Minister of Worship on campus, was the faculty advisor to the group for a few years starting in 1999.
However, according to Hierald Kane-Osorto, former Director of Multicultural Programs, a gospel choir was connected with the Black Student Union sometime in the 1970s. Later, when the Office of Multicultural Programs was formed in 1989, the group was connected with the office.
The group has undergone a number of changes over the years. Before Curry took over advising duties of the group in 1999 and brought it under the auspices of College Ministries, UVP was a somewhat unaffiliated student group. "The group was a student organization not tied to the music department or virtually any other department except for multicultural programs," says Curry.
In the fall of 1999, a split nearly occurred in UVP. Tensions arose in the group over who was there because "they liked the music, but weren't really about the soul," says Curry. In the late fall of that year, Curry had a meeting with the leaders of both sides of the tension. "You're going to minister together and lead together," Curry told them. This attempt to get the leaders to work together was the beginning of what is now called the UVP Council.
According to senior Joy Oakes, student director of UVP, the group has big plans for this year. Bruxy Cavey, who spoke at chapel last year, has invited UVP to sing at his church in Canada over spring break. This follows on the heels of a successful tour in the spring of 2009, when the group went to Ohio and sang at area churches and schools.
"UVP has existed as a group by that name for at least 12-15 years," says Doug Curry. Curry, the Minister of Worship on campus, was the faculty advisor to the group for a few years starting in 1999.
However, according to Hierald Kane-Osorto, former Director of Multicultural Programs, a gospel choir was connected with the Black Student Union sometime in the 1970s. Later, when the Office of Multicultural Programs was formed in 1989, the group was connected with the office.
The group has undergone a number of changes over the years. Before Curry took over advising duties of the group in 1999 and brought it under the auspices of College Ministries, UVP was a somewhat unaffiliated student group. "The group was a student organization not tied to the music department or virtually any other department except for multicultural programs," says Curry.
In the fall of 1999, a split nearly occurred in UVP. Tensions arose in the group over who was there because "they liked the music, but weren't really about the soul," says Curry. In the late fall of that year, Curry had a meeting with the leaders of both sides of the tension. "You're going to minister together and lead together," Curry told them. This attempt to get the leaders to work together was the beginning of what is now called the UVP Council.
According to senior Joy Oakes, student director of UVP, the group has big plans for this year. Bruxy Cavey, who spoke at chapel last year, has invited UVP to sing at his church in Canada over spring break. This follows on the heels of a successful tour in the spring of 2009, when the group went to Ohio and sang at area churches and schools.
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