This month’s Kent Stars are Kent Gospel Choir, who recently won the 11th annual Gospel Choir of the Year competition! Hear more from Emerald:
“Hi there! My name is Emerald, and I am currently a second-year student studying Computer Science at the University of Kent. When I am not busy with my studies, I enjoy singing soprano as a member of the Kent Gospel Choir, which has been an incredible experience so far. As the Social Media Admin for the Gospel Choir committee, I enjoy using my skills to promote the choir and share our experiences with a wider audience.”
Tell us about winning the University Gospel Choir of the Year competition.
“Winning the University Gospel Choir of the Year competition was an incredible experience for Kent Gospel Choir and myself. It was a moment of pure elation and a true testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire choir community. From the moment we started preparing for the competition, we knew we had something special, but we never expected this. The feeling of hearing our name announced as the winners is something that will stay with me forever.
When preparing the set for the competition, we had to make sure to stay on theme which was ‘The Latter is Greater than the Former’. With this theme we handpicked and remixed the right songs for what we wanted to perform and the story we wanted to tell. We were able to bring a unique style to the songs and truly showcase the versatility of our choir. Our choir members gave their all and sang together as one, pouring their hearts and souls into each note and harmony. The audience and judges were captivated by our performance, and we could feel the emotion in the room as we sang.
One of the most special moments of the competition for me was singing with the all the other choirs as part of the UGCY Mass Choir. We all rehearsed together for the first time that day but when it came to performing the song (Lord You’re Holy Ballin’ – Sunday Service Choir) the energy on stage was definitely there and we sounded amazing. The entire day everyone had been so friendly and welcoming to each other, so it was really fun to sing together with the choirs, forget about the competition and just enjoy ourselves on stage, definitely the highlight of the day.
Winning the University Gospel Choir of the Year Competition was a truly unforgettable experience. It showed us that hard work, dedication, and a passion for music can take you anywhere you want to go. It was a celebration of the talent and spirit of our choir, and a testament to the power of gospel music to unite and uplift people from all walks of life.”
What advice would you give to other students?
“My advice to other students would be to make the most of your university experience by getting involved in extracurricular activities that interest you. These activities can not only help you develop new skills and meet new people, but they can also provide a much-needed break from academic studies. It’s important to find a balance between academic work and other aspects of your life to ensure that you’re taking care of your overall well-being. Additionally, don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try new things – you never know what opportunities and experiences may come your way.”
What are your plans for next year?
“As I will be going on a placement year next year, I will unfortunately be unable to participate in Kent Gospel Choir during that time. This makes me appreciate even more the experiences I have had with the choir this year, such as performing at various events and bonding with the other members. My plan for the next year is to make the most of my placement opportunity and gain valuable experience in the field of computer science. I also hope to continue developing my musical skills on my own time and come back to the choir even stronger in my final year.”
Learn more about the Kent Stars campaign.
Photos by S.AWUKU PHOTOGRAPHY.