A Group Gone Unnoticed

OXFORD, Miss- The University of Mississippi’s students take heed to a religious group offered on campus to people with different religious backgrounds.

There are many different religious groups offered on the campus of Ole Miss and the surrounding community. From Baptist to Pentecostal, they all offer the students local Oxford natives something different. One of the unnoticed religious groups is the University of Mississippi’s Gospel choir.

The University of Mississippi’s Gospel choir is more than just a group of people who sing together, it is a place where people of all denominations come to sing. The choir is mostly student led with the directors and singers. With a mini bible class and prayer before and after practice, The University of Mississippi’s gospel choir is a definitely a place to go when you need to get away from the stress of life.

Jasmine Hubbard, the new vice president for the upcoming semester, says that the gospel choir is her home away from home.

“When I am not able to make it to church, Monday night choir rehearsal is what gets me through a hectic week. “said Hubbard.

Hubbard describes the choir as a very close knit group of people. Being that she is the newly elected vice president for the next two semesters, she has to take on a very important role in leading the choir in a positive direction.

“All of us have different backgrounds and come from different place and I think that is what really makes the choir such a good organization to be a part of.” said Hubbard.

Khadijha Shelwood, a freshman and member of the gospel choir, says that she does not know what she would do if she had not have joined the gospel choir. She explains how being away from home has been hard and she was looking for a strong, close knit family and also looking to get involved on campus. She stumbled upon the gospel choir while sitting in the union with her friends. As of now, all of her friends and herself are a part of this choir.

“It has really brought me closer to God as an individual and taught me things that I never would have thought just being in a choir. It has exceeded my expectations and I am so glad that I am a part of this great group of people” said Shelwood.

The current president of the UMGC is Jeremy Scruggs. He has been a part of the choir ever since he has been attending the University of Mississippi and he takes his position very seriously. He is very dedicated and he believes in bringing out the best in each individual who is a part of the choir. He believes in teaching and being an inspiration to others. He also explains how the gospel choir has brought him closer to God in so many ways and how the mini bible study and prayer that are held before practices are what makes the singing experience much more essential and meaningfu

“Singing with a group of people that love God as much as I do is the best feeling.” said Scruggs.