Universal Gospel Choir

Biography

The Universal Gospel Choir has been celebrating the uplifting power of the world's sacred and social conscience songs since 1985. Passionate performances and the ability to engage diverse audiences have made the UGC one of Vancouver's most popular choirs. A wide-ranging repertoire of authentically delivered songs from African-American, Cuban, African, European, Jewish, Asian and Native American musical traditions makes every UGC performance a truly unique, inspiring and mind-opening experience....

The Universal Gospel Choir has been celebrating the uplifting power of the world's sacred and social conscience songs since 1985. Passionate performances and the ability to engage diverse audiences have made the UGC one of Vancouver's most popular choirs. A wide-ranging repertoire of authentically delivered songs from African-American, Cuban, African, European, Jewish, Asian and Native American musical traditions makes every UGC performance a truly unique, inspiring and mind-opening experience.

In 2008 the choir enjoyed packed houses for their annual winter “Yule” and summer “Soulstice” concerts and introduced “gospel karaoke” to a very participatory audience at their annual Community Sing. Past highlight performances include a sold-out concert at the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts (2007) and the Vancouver Jazz Festival with John Boutte (2007 and 2006).

Driven by a strong mandate of service to the community, the choir performs numerous benefit concerts every year. Recent concerts include appearances with Shari Ulrich for the Callanish Society (2009) and with Sybil Thrasher for the North Shore Disabilities Association (2008).

The UGC’s latest CD, "May I Be Still", was released December 2007 and consists of contemplative live recordings under the inspired direction of former Music Director, Brian Tate. Earlier recordings include "Grace Happens" (1996), "Universal Gospel Choir Live" (2001) and "Joyful Noise" (2004).

Music Director Kathryn Nicholson joined the choir in September 2007. Kathryn combines her deep love of music and impassioned engagement with community to lift the choir to new heights of heart-felt musical expression. Her irrepressible spirit and sincerity never fail to delight and touch the soul of enthusiastic audiences. The choir is blessed with the brilliant support of resident pianist, arranger and band leader, Diane Lines, an outstanding professional musician and performer well known to local audiences. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.