BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) \u2014 Even before the audience arrives, the Church of God choir is already making the space come alive. During rehearsal, voices rise in harmony as the group prepares for their performance, led by choir director Natasha Johnson.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll be singing He\u2019s Able,\u201d Johnson said. \u201cWe\u2019re going to take it back to old school back to Fred Hammond and then bring it back to I Will Bless the Lord.\u201d<\/p>\n
For choir member Kellianne Jordan, gospel music represents far more than a performance.<\/p>\n
\u201cGospel is so powerful,\u201d Jordan said. \u201cI think it\u2019s a representation of so many things in the Black community.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jordan says preparing for Gospel Fest challenged the choir musically and strengthened their sense of unity.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe worked hard on learning these songs,\u201d she said. \u201cIt definitely stretched me stretched my ears and the great thing about choir is it\u2019s not a solo experience. You really have to work together as a team to get the right sound.\u201d<\/p>\n
Another performer, James Osborne, says this will be his first time performing gospel music. To him, the genre carries deep meaning through its lyrics and sound.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery gospel song was written with intention from the words, to the melody, to the harmonies,\u201d Osborne said. \u201cIt\u2019s not just meant to send a message, but to speak to the heart.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pastor Traco Mathews says Gospel Fest is especially meaningful for his church, which is participating in the concert for the third time. He says gospel music connects generations through shared history and faith.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy ancestors, my mom, all the people who came before me sang some of these same songs,\u201d Mathews said. \u201cWhat it brought them through and how it carried them forward now it\u2019s doing the same for me. I love every time I get to sing, but there\u2019s something special about gospel songs.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gospel Fest also serves as a kickoff to Black History Month events in the Bakersfield community, celebrating culture, history, and resilience through music.<\/p>\n
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