Gospel Matters has been set up for the purposes of providing education, in it’s broadest sense, through the genre of gospel music.
But why educate through gospel music?
We at Gospel Matters have identified the following reasons:
- Everybody likes to sing
- The voice is our most readily accessible instrument
- Those who feel that they ‘can’t sing’ (an assumption that we work hard to eliminate) can be educated with care and time
- Gospel music, in particular, is popular because of it’s live inspirational element – people find that they are able to let go and express themselves
- Gospel music’s participatory and accessible nature means that everybody can have a go. Reading music is not a requirement
- Gospel music appeals to everybody whether young, old or middle-aged. The young particularly love it’s vibrancy and funky rhythms
Furthermore, there are recognised benefits to singing:
- Singing has a huge ‘therapeutic’ element to it – this has been testified to by many who have taken part in workshops
- Performance provides a major sense of achievement and self-fulfillment. This can affect motivation in other areas of our lives and for the rest of our lives
- Increases self-esteem and builds confidence
- The sense of singing in a safe, choral environment encourages team work and a sense of camaraderie
- Singing can increase creativity, especially when singers are encouraged to write, express and produce their own ideas
- Singers learn the discipline of listening – an invaluable life skill
- Singers learn about presentation and performance skills in a public arena
"I just had to say how inspiring your workshop has been for me this term, in more ways than you know. I had a terrible year last year, my husband died very suddenly and unexpectedly and the new business he had just started hit serious financial problems. I was at a very low ebb this time in 2006. It took me a while to return to singing, but thank God I did! Every week I leave feeling happier and stronger, more able to face what the week might hold."
Jan Carballo, BGG Choir, Brighton
"I just want to say another huge thank you to for coming into the school today. The children loved it so much … the loveliest thing was leaving the school tonight and hearing a group of children singing one of the songs, belting it out in the street sat on a wall reading from the song sheet. You were wonderful with the children and I’m so glad they and the grown-ups got the chance to be inspired by you."
Laura Middleton, Workshop Facilitator, Paxton Primary School
