Sing out loud!

On Saturday, February 16, the P.S./I.S. 116 Queens Gospel Choir from Jamaica will take the stage in the Pathmark Gospel Choir Competition, New York City’s centerpiece event in Black History Month.
With about 45 third through eighth graders, the choir, under director Saundra T. Johnson, will perform selections like “Give us this day,” “Faithful,” and “Victory.”
“The students are very excited and highly motivated,” said Johnson, who has been directing the choir — which has performed in the Pathmark competition previously — since 1989.
Johnson explained that the choir will also be participating in the National Gospel Choir Competition on February 14.
“We really were recognized by the National Gospel Choir Competition,” she said. “They watched us progress, turned our name into Pathmark, and I received an email asking us to participate.”
In preparation, she said, the students have been rehearsing.
“Rehearsals have become intense,” said Johnson, telling The Courier Sun that the choir meets twice a week for two hours at a time.
She also explained that P.S./I.S. 116, with Pre-K through eighth grade, added an elementary gospel choir just this year.
In addition, Belinda Williams, P.S./I.S 116 Assistant Principal, has been working with the students on choreography.
“We realized we needed some added skills,” said Johnson. “We also could not do this wihout the support of our principal, Barbara Fuller,” who, she explained, arranged the schedule for the students so that they could also participate in their other extracurricular activities.
Johnson also said that parents have been extremely cooperative and supportive.
For more information on the Pathmark Competition, call 866-893-1812 or log onto www.Gospel5000.com.
This year’s competition wil be held at The World Financial Center Winter Garden, West Street between Vesey and Liberty Streets in Lower Manhattan, on Saturday, February 16. Competition Youth Division Choirs, members age 18 and under, sing out first, beginning at 10 a.m., winners announced at 12:30 p.m. From 1:30 to 5 p.m., there will be Open Division. Prizes totaling $10,000 will be awarded.