Gospel Choir
Illustration by Noelle Mitcham
Article by Reese Borchert
NEWBERG, Ore. – Chapel attendants on March 3 were treated to a gospel music experience in Bauman Auditorium. This Tuesday worship was elevated by a team with an idea to bring such a cultural celebration to George Fox University (GFU).
“The service included performed gospel worship music, history of gospel, a testimonial and then we taught a gospel song to finish the service with us all singing the same piece,” says GFU Director of Choral Activities and Professor of Music, Danielle Warner.
Melodies from Heaven by Kirk Franklin opened and concluded the chapel, first sung by just the choir and later with the audience.
“I’ve always grown up listening to gospel,” says Kana Gaoteote. “It’s the way I feel closest to God through worship. The harmony is simple, so…everyone can sing no matter where they are.”
Gaoteote, a junior accounting and financial planning major, delivered his testimony during the service. Growing up, his mother would lead him and his brother in an hour of devotion before dropping them off at school, a time that would include gospel worship. He rediscovered the genre in 2025, resonating with the foundational truth of the lyrics.
”I'm flawed and broken, yet the Lord saved me. I really connected with that message,” says Gaoteote about gospel music. “In those moments, I felt way closer to God than I did in church.”
He finds that gospel brings immense joy whenever it is sung, which is what compelled him to start a gospel choir at GFU. “It was a complete joy and privilege,” says Warner about leading the choir. Warner loves partnering with students and was thrilled with the opportunity to help make Gaoteote’s vision a reality.
“I just had the idea and it was a lot of getting people who know what they were doing on the same page,” says Gaoteote. He was able to connect with Warner and the GFU Spiritual Life team around November to start arranging details.
“I spoke a testimony, which was nuts and very spiritually potent. I felt like I wasn't enough, but luckily the Lord calls on those who aren't perfect to do marvelous things,” says Gaoteote. He encourages other students to follow the small nudges from God that come from other people and break down goals into small steps so they don’t seem ominous.
“I’m proud and happy with how it was received,” says Gaoteote. “Everyone was enjoying themselves and lots of people were there. For lots it was their first time and the first time for people in the choir too.” The audience interacted with the music and Gaoteote was pleased that they seemed to connect with the message as he intended.
“I love the chapels that both try to do new things and bring in new perspectives. I love the chapels that push the norm.” He gives examples of the times SpiL coordinated a service with lyrics entirely in Spanish, incorporated jazz bands and invited speakers that shared about living with disabilities.
Gospel, the music and choir, will likely appear more next fall and spring during chapel offerings, with a special for Black History Month.
