“Praise Celebration 2016: Hosanna!”

Written by: Stephanie C. Woodson, UNITY Alumna
Fort Wayne, Indiana is known by many as “The City of Churches.” It is home to many places of worship, large and small, of various denominations. While there are many churches within our community, the opportunities for all the congregations to come together, to enjoy a common, unifying experience of praise and worship, are rare. Although Unity Performing Arts Foundation (UNITY) is not considered a faith-based organization, each year, its premiere youth choral program, The World Champion Voices of Unity Youth Choir (VOUYC), hosts Praise Celebration, which unifies the local arts community, and members of the local religious community. Talented local and regional worship leaders, community members, and even national recording artists and musicians, gather in our city to participate in this annual event. This year’s Praise Celebration, entitled “Hosanna,” took place on Sunday, January 10, 2016 at the Rhinehart Music Center’s Auer Auditorium, located on the campus of Indiana University-Purdue University.
Many people use the beginning of the year as a time to reflect, refresh and renew in various areas of their lives. Praise Celebration has become an ideal platform to engage in such reflection and forward vision for the entire community. UNITY has many great accomplishments to reflect upon, and so much to look forward to this year. The organization continues to build interest and enthusiasm surrounding its upcoming summer European tour. UNITY’s Founder and CEO, Mr. Marshall White announced the choir would be making yet another significant international trip to Rome and Venice, Italy, including a special performance at the Vatican, Graz, Austria and Budapest, Hungary to participate in a series of concerts and competitions. This tour, and UNITY’s many previous accomplishments gives them, and the Fort Wayne community much to be thankful and give praise for.
When attending a VOUYC production, one can be sure to expect the highest level of excellence in every single aspect, from the musical and oratorical presentations, multimedia, staging, choreography and uniforms. In addition to unifying the various congregations and the arts community, another outstanding component of UNITY is its ability to combine the soulful sounds of its band, led by Grammy Award-winning Fort Wayne native, Lance Tolbert, and the classical sounds of its orchestra, led by Fort Wayne Philharmonic principal violist, Derek Reeves. The energy in the auditorium, during this uplifting concert, mirrored that of a sacred place of worship. People extended their hands to God, clapped their hands, shouted with triumphant voices, cried cleansing tears of joy and release, danced and sang along to the music. The celebration featured music by various notable mainstream, inspirational and gospel/Christian music artists, including Norman Hutchins, John Legend, Common, Chris Byrd, Tasha Cobb, Passion/Trey McLaughlin, Kirk Franklin, Heartland Worship Team, Frontline Worship, Vashawn Mitchell, Michael Smith, and Fort Wayne native, Marcellus Barnes.
The evening began with greetings from the emcee, Melissa Montana, radio host of the local STAR 88.3. Following her greetings came additional greetings from other community dignitaries, including Dr. Gregory Jones of the IPFW Music Department, Eric Doden, CEO of Greater Fort Wayne, Inc. and a beautiful invocation by Pastor Anthony Payton of Greater Come as You Are Community Church. VOUYC student, Lauryn Jones, presented an opening monologue, written by Mr. Chad Edmonds, our Expression Creative Writing Artistic Director, encouraging onlookers to look within, to find the answers to the many problems we face, individually, and collectively. She also admonished the audience to give thanks and praise to God for sustaining us all, through another year.