CLC celebrates the glories of gospel music

"It's many forms of the same positive message," said JoHaan Cotton-Wilson, special projects coordinator at the College of Lake County's Lake Shore Campus. "The music makes people feel good and offers hope."

Cotton-Wilson, of Vernon Hills, is describing CLC's 27th Annual Salute to Gospel, coming this Saturday to the Genesee Theatre in downtown Waukegan.

This year's show includes The Canton Spirituals, a Grammy-winning group from Canton, Miss., and features Harvey Watkins, Pastor DeAndre Patterson of Chicago, composer and two-time Stellar Award nominee, the CLC Gospel Choir under the direction of Dr. Charles Clency, and the Word of Life Ministries Choir of Beach Park. The event's emcee will be Effie Rolfe, radio personality for V103 FM Chicago.

Gospel stars

"Over the years, we've presented many gospel greats, from Shirley Caesar to Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Rance Allen. We brought back the Reunion Choir, had the Winans at our first concert, and Vickie Winans more recently," noted Cotton-Wilson. "This was started to reach out to youth. We knew a lot of youth were involved with the black churches, and that one of the ways to appeal to them was with music."

But she hopes the upcoming event will appeal to all generations.

"The Cantons are old school, quartet style, which should attract older members of the community," said Cotton-Wilson.

"DeAndre's music is contemporary in the vain of praise and worship," she continued. "The program has different styles, with traditional, spiritual, and contemporary. It's uplifting and makes people will good, a fantastic program of singers, groups, and choirs. It's music that offers hope."

Cotton-Wilson noted how much the the CLC Gospel Choir has evolved over the years. "It began as a continuing education non-credit class, but is now a full credit class. Students learn all the different genres of gospel music."

Media exposure

Cotton-Wilson credits radio exposure, that began in the 1920s, and newer media for expanding gospel styes. "Now there are all kinds of ways to communicate," she said, "internet radio, social networks, andthis onslaught (of media) has allowed gospel to develop."

In addition to a full musical program, the Annual Harambi Awards of Excellence will be presented at the show.

In Swahili, the word harambi means 'pulling together,' a fitting name that hearkens back to the way the program began.

Said Cotton-Wilson: "Our former dean wanted to reach young blacks and she couldn't do it on her own, so (she decided to) partner with local ministries about the opportunities to get educated at the community college level. The award came about through the partnership."

This year's Harambi Awards of Excellence will go to Apostle Ernest Taylor and Prophetess Barbara Taylor of Words of Life Ministries.

College of Lake County's 27th Annual Salute to Gospel

Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. 7 p.m. Feb. 26. Tickets $17-$19. (847) 782-2366 or www.geneseetheatre.com. Or charge by phone: (800) 982-2787, www.ticketmaster.com.