Soul Rocking Celebration on June 6
at Spring Hill
South Berwick, ME—Sunday, June 6, 2010—The Gospel Music Project, a nonprofit, arts and cultural organization dedicated to uplifting those in need through music, will hold a fundraising Celebration of Gospel, Blues, and Rock ‘n’ Roll on Sunday, June 6. A VIP reception with entertainment, light hors d’oeuvre, and full bar will start at 4 pm, followed at 5 pm by a concert featuring the Rock My Soul Quintet, Rock My Soul Choir & Band, and special surprise musical guests. A silent auction and 50/50 raffle will run throughout the evening. Guests interested in having dinner after the show will be able to purchase meals at a special discount.
The event will take place at Spring Hill, a picturesque, modern function facility and restaurant located on 60 acres of rolling meadows and waterfront located at 117 Pond Road, South Berwick ME. Proceeds will go toward the Gospel Music Project’s mission of performing free outreach concerts at hospice, homeless shelters, nursing homes, rehab programs, jails, and other facilities that support those in need, and of educating audiences about the rich cultural history of gospel music.
“Whether someone goes to church or not, chances are gospel music has given them sustenance and comfort at some point in their life,” says Dawn Boyer, founder and Executive Director. “Many of us sing songs like ‘Amazing Grace’ or ‘Swing Low, Sweet Chariot’ and have no idea where they came from. ‘Amazing Grace,’ for instance, was written by a white slave trader who, historians say, took the melody from a song the slaves on his ship were singing below. He swore he would change his ways after his ship almost sank in a storm. And ‘Swing Low, Sweet Chariot’ was written for Harriet Tubman, who was known as ‘Old Chariot’ and actually sang it on her deathbed.”
With its raise-the-rafters style, Rock My Soul, a 25-member secular choir and four-piece band, has garnered an ever-growing following and performed to packed houses throughout New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Maine. The group has received critical acclaim and has been featured on WMUR-TV’s NH Chronicle, WSCH TV’s 207, and MBPN. One of its songs was featured in a 2009 PBS documentary entitled Freedom Songs: Music of the Civil Rights Movement.
The Rock My Soul Quintet features five singers from the choir plus musicians. The group specializes in various styles of gospel, including Appalachian/white southern, blues, and jubilee with rich four-part harmony.
“The reason we’re having a celebration of gospel, blues, and rock ‘n’ roll is to show people how every form of popular American music comes from gospel,” says Boyer. “That’s why gospel is universal and transcends religious boundaries. It’s for everyone, because the music speaks to us all. We’ve prepared a show that features genres from gospel to pop, and we’ll talk about what they all have in common. It’s going to be a rocking time, really good for the soul. We’ll show how supporting a nonprofit can be fun. I guarantee kids and adults alike will be dancing.”
Due to the groups’ popularity and limited number of tickets, advance purchase is strongly recommended. Tickets for the reception and concert are $25 per individual or $40 per couple. Tickets for the concert only are $15; children 12 and under are admitted free. All tickets may be purchased online, at Bull Moose Music stores, by calling 207-450-8016, or at the door.
The Gospel Music Project is dedicated to raising awareness of and educating audiences about American gospel music and its positive impact on our history and culture. In performing the songs and describing the history behind them, the group hopes to lift hearts, open minds, and bring people closer together to understand the meaning of peace, equality, respect, unity, and justice.
