State College Jewish congregation to host Essence 2 gospel choir

Congregation Brit Shalom in State College will have a programming first on Nov. 22 as Essence 2, the community-based gospel choir directed by Anthony Leach of the Penn State School of Music, will perform in the sanctuary.

Congregation Brit Shalom is a Reform congregation of 200 families and singles, open to Jews of all backgrounds who seek Jewish community and education. For its first 30 years, the Congregation Brit Shalom was the only Jewish congregation in Centre County.

Essence 2 is comprised of professional and amateur musicians from all over central Pennsylvania who share an appreciation for this art form. They are members of the community, ranging from teenagers to senior citizens, who share a love of music and singing to express joy. Leach is director and founder of Essence of Joy, Essence 2 and the Essence of Joy Alumni Singers.

When Essence 2 launched in September 1999 at the University Baptist and Brethren Church in State College, Leach had received requests from many people in and around the State College area regarding their interest in singing choral music from the African-American and African choral idioms. They were inspired by the Essence of Joy choir, an ensemble in the Penn State School of Music that performs sacred and secular music from the same choral idioms. The choir functioned as a year-round ensemble through 2006 and then became a fall-only ensemble with a board of directors.

“A member of the Brit Shalom synagogue participated in Essence 2 during the 2014 season,” Leach said. “It was through her invitation that the concert that will occur on Nov. 22 emerged.”

Performing gospel music in a Jewish sanctuary may seem out of the ordinary for some. However, music is a universal form of art, and the gospel format can be applied to any song of praise for the Almighty. Gospel music is generally characterized by dominant vocals — often with strong use of harmony — and is usually applied to words of praise to God. In the United States, the gospel “sound” is often heard in Protestant churches where African and African-American influences are present, and the choirs are often accompanied by keyboards and other instruments. Essence 2 will perform a unique selection of works that cite scripture from the Old Testament as well as other interfaith texts.

“Gospel music may be categorized into several idioms such as traditional, contemporary, urban, country and hip-hop based on musical accompaniment, text and harmonic progressions,” Leach said. “The program that will be shared at Brit Shalom is a combination of spirituals, anthems, traditional and contemporary gospel but without text references to Jesus Christ.”

Although he feels fortunate to be able to lead such a wonderful group of professional and amateur musicians from within the university and the community, Leach knows that it’s the collective effort of everyone involved that keeps choral music alive in the State College area.

“Pride is not the operative mode for me but rather a humble and generous awareness of how special the people are who share their time, talent and treasure to ensure that Essence 2 remains vital and vibrant within the State College arts community and beyond,” he said.

This particular event may be a first for both Congregation Brit Shalom and Essence 2, not to mention for those in the audience who will experience it. But when asked what special meaning it had for him, Leach said that every performance his choirs are asked to do is a special moment for him.

“The fact that someone thought enough of our musical offering to want us to bring this musical fare to their congregation is exciting and engaging for me, the singers and all who will share with us during these moments of music-making,” Leach said.

This story was originally published November 20, 2015 at 11:51 AM with the headline "State College Jewish congregation to host Essence 2 gospel choir."