CLC Gospel Choir presents
Destination: Gospel Music USA (Mass Choir Edition)
Written & Directed by Matthew Hunter
Saturday, April 5, 2025 · 4:00 p.m.
Mainstage Theatre
James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts
College of Lake County · Grayslake, Illinois
We respectfully acknowledge that the College of Lake County is on the ancestral homelands of the Kickapoo, Peoria, Potawatomi and other native peoples. We recognize the longstanding significance of these lands for indigenous peoples past, present and future. Historical awareness of indigenous exclusion and erasure is critically important to preventing further atrocities. The College of Lake County pledges to acknowledge the grave injustices of the past and pledges to create awareness and advance education that invites truth.
Excellence.
Purpose.
Integrity.
Compassion.
Unity.
Inclusion.
These aren’t just words—they’re the heartbeat and the values of the College of Lake County. We’re dedicated to providing equitable, high-quality education, cultural enrichment and meaningful partnership building with the diverse communities we’re honored to serve. In the Communication Arts Division, we truly believe that the arts have the power to reflect the world around us, inspire change through the sharing of stories and experiences, and, especially, bring people together to do great things.
I’m so excited to welcome you to a new season filled with creativity, learning and connection. This year’s lineup is bursting with opportunities to experience music, theater, dance and visual arts that will uplift and inspire you. Visit the Wright Community Gallery for stunning art exhibits, or immerse yourself in our film and literary series. We also offer free community workshops and events that are open to everyone— there’s something for every taste and interest! Each experience highlights the amazing talent at CLC and within our local community.
But it doesn’t stop there! Whether you’re drawn to literature, creative writing, communication studies, digital media, philosophy, the humanities, world languages or the visual and performing arts, we offer a wide variety of courses designed to enrich your life. Whether you’re here for personal growth, working toward a certificate, or pursuing a degree, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
We know that “Together, we are E.P.I.C., U. and I.”
To learn more about performing and visual arts opportunities, use the QR code at the bottom of the page or visit www.clcillinois.edu/arts-opportunities.
I’m so glad you’re here at the College of Lake County. We can’t wait to share this journey with you and see where your passion leads!
Enjoy the show!
Stephanie Santos Gray
Dean of Communication Arts, Humanities, and Fine Arts
Matthew Hunter (writer/director) is the creator of Destination: Gospel Music USA (Mass Choir Edition), an original theatrical concert production celebrating the powerful legacy and spiritual impact of Black gospel choirs in the United States. This performance centers the music and message of six iconic mass choirs whose contributions have shaped the sound of gospel music for decades:
- Florida Mass Choir
- L.A. Mass Choir
- Phoenix Mass Choir
- Dallas-Fort Worth Mass Choir
- Mississippi Mass Choir
- Chicago Mass Choir
Each of these choirs is known for its rich harmonies, expressive soloists, and vibrant energy, which transforms a concert into an encounter. Mass choirs represent a broader reach than your typical church choir, often consisting of singers from multiple congregations or a large, unified ensemble that serves an entire city or region.
Contextual Background
Welcome to Destination: Gospel Music USA (Mass Choir Edition) — a live theatrical concert celebrating the legacy and impact of Black gospel choirs. Centering the music of six iconic mass choirs, this production highlights how gospel has evolved from its Chicago roots into a nationwide force of spiritual and cultural expression.
Each song in tonight’s program was carefully selected for its emotional depth and musical richness. The story — featuring angels and the Holy Spirit on a journey across the country — was written to thread these songs together and reflect gospel music's transformative power.
Gospel is more than a genre — it's a lived experience filled with joy, faith, and healing. One song, “That’s When You Bless Me,” was taught by rote, a traditional method where singers learn by ear and repetition. This mirrors how gospel music has been passed down for generations through sound, spirit, and community.
Style & Tradition
Black gospel choir music is a deeply expressive art form rooted in the Black church tradition. It blends call-and-response, vocal improvisation, syncopated rhythms, and emotional storytelling — elements that define the sound and soul of gospel music.
This production focuses on the mass choir, known for its large, unified sound and regional impact. Choirs like the Florida Mass Choir and Chicago Mass Choir shaped the sound of gospel in the late 20th century, bringing music from the sanctuary to broader stages.
Musically, tonight’s selections span traditional, southern, and contemporary gospel styles, particularly from the 1990s and early 2000s. Though less mainstream today, this music remains accessible, powerful, and perfect for ensemble singing. It allows the gospel’s message to shine through both structure and spontaneous praise.
What to Listen to and Watch For
As you experience tonight’s performance, we invite you to listen with your ears, watch with your heart, and engage with your spirit. Gospel music is more than melody and rhythm — it is an embodied art form that speaks through sound, gesture, and shared emotion.
- Listen for the dynamic call-and-response between soloists and choir. Hear how singers use vocal improvisation to personalize the message.
- Watch how movement, from clapping and swaying to intentional gestures, is a shared performance element in gospel music.
- Notice the rhythm section's syncopation and emotional drive. The drums, bass, organ, and keys are major collaborators and contributors to the musical experience.
- Feel the range of textures, harmonies, and climaxes — from tender refrains to powerful shout sections — that make gospel music a full-body experience.
You’ll also see the story unfold through the presence of the angels and the Holy Spirit, whose journey adds meaning and cohesion to each song. Their interaction with the music connects every city, every choir, and every testimony to the central theme of redemption, praise, and divine encounter.
This is gospel — alive, present, and ready to move you.
Destination: Gospel Music USA (Mass Choir Edition)
Performed by the CLC Gospel Choir | Directed by Matthew Hunter
April 5, 2025
1. Father, I Stretch My Hands to Thee – Charles Wesley and Hugh Wilson
Soloist: Matthew Hunter
2. Jesus Is Mine – Florida Mass Choir
3. That's When You Bless Me – L.A. Mass Choir
Soloists: Addison Domingo, Savannah Newcomb, Jen Locklear
4. You've Been So Faithful – Phoenix Mass Choir
Soloists: Sheila Jones, Stephanie Smith
5. Blessed Assurance – Dallas Fort Worth Mass Choir
6. Your Grace and Mercy – Mississippi Mass Choir
Soloist: Chris Cerk
7. Thank You, Thank You Jesus – Chicago Mass Choir
Soloists: Daniel Killins, Kathlina Gault
Cast of Characters
Angels – Henry Albarrán, Lisa Szymanski, Genevieve O’Keefe, Leslie McClellan
God (Voice) – Jane Dorado
Preacher – Melody Bickhem
Holy Spirit – Kathlina Gault
The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon
by Don Zolidis
Saturday, April 12 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 13 at 2:00 p.m.
Thursday, April 17; Friday, April 18; and Saturday, April 19, 2025 at 7:30 p.m.
Buy one ticket, get one free Saturday, April 12 and Thursday, April 17!
The fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm are turned on their heads in this fast-paced, rollicking ride as several actors attempt to combine all 209 stories, including classics like Snow White, Cinderella, and Hansel and Gretel. A wild-free form comedy with lots of audience participation and madcap fun.
This production was born from a desire to blend gospel tradition with creative storytelling. Inspired by a friend’s play, I imagined what it might be like for angels to learn something from humanity, specifically through gospel music.
In 2024, I completed a master’s degree focused on teaching Black gospel music with authenticity and care. That work reshaped my approach to directing and deepened my responsibility to preserve this art form. Gospel music has been a part of my life for over thirty years, and it continues to fuel my work as an educator and performing artist.
The music featured tonight comes from what I call gospel’s platinum era — the 1990s and early 2000s — music that is accessible, rich in harmony, and emotionally resonant. The CLC Gospel Choir had just five rehearsals to bring this vision to life, and their dedication has been extraordinary.
When Pilgrim Baptist Church, the birthplace of gospel music, caught fire in 2006, we lost more than a building — we lost part of our history. May tonight’s performance serve as a reminder that gospel music is still here, still alive, and still worth preserving.
Thank you for joining us.
Matthew Hunter
Director, CLC Gospel Choir
This production would not have been possible without the dedication, talent, and support of so many individuals.
Special thanks to Kelly Neuls, Executive Administrator for the CLC Gospel Choir, who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to organize documents, retrieve resources, communicate with choir members, and keep everything on track. Her faithfulness, attention to detail, and unwavering commitment made this production possible and successful. I could not have pulled this off without her.
We are also deeply grateful to Jeremy Eiden, Production Manager, Pete Hansen, Technical Production Assistant, and the entire James Lumber Center staff for their behind-the-scenes support, expertise, and professionalism. Their efforts have ensured that every lighting cue, sound check, and stage transition in the Mainstage Theatre was handled with care and precision.
To our musicians — Davarrius Wilson (keyboard), Deontae Swanigan (organ), Aram Feriants (guitar), Keelan Jones (bass), and Joshua Metcalf (drums) — thank you for your artistry and your heartbeat in this music.
To Kathlina Gault, the cast, choir members, and production team — your voices, movement, spirit, and joy bring this story to life.
Thank you to Mitch Lewis, Director of Choirs at the College of Lake County, for his continued support of the CLC Gospel Choir and his encouragement of our work.
And finally, thank you to our audience. Your presence today makes this moment complete.
On Tuesday, April 15, JLC is hosting the US Army Field Band Jazz Ambassadors. This free concert begins at 7:00 p.m.
Known as America’s Big Band, the Jazz Ambassadors are the premier touring jazz orchestra of the United States Army. Formed in 1969, this 19-piece ensemble has received critical acclaim throughout the United States and abroad performing America’s original art form, jazz.
Reservations are requested but not required. Reserve your tickets here.
Matthew was born and raised in Evanston, where his musical career started at a very young age. Matthew graduated with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Michigan State University and a Master of Music Education from Vandercook College of Music in Chicago. Matthew serves as a consulting teacher for the Niles Township High School District 219 in Skokie, and is the College of Lake County Gospel Choir director at the Grayslake campus. In 2015, Matthew made his professional theater debut in Chicago in the Black Ensemble Theater’s Jeff-nominated production of Men of Soul. In 2016, Matthew was featured as an ensemble member in the Jeff Award-winning production of Dreamgirls with Porchlight Music Theatre. He has also been named one of the Northshore’s “Top talents, art influencers, and dazzling performers” in Modern Luxury NS magazine (2016) and has served as an assistant music director for the Musical Theater Intensive at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago. He was recently seen performing in the Jeff Award-nominated production of Godspell by Stephen Schwartz and Songs for a New World by Jason Robert Brown at Theo Ubique in Evanston. From national to international performances, from hip-hop dance troupes to baroque operas, Matthew brings a wealth of performing experience and musical leadership to the stage and the classroom.
Matthew Hunter – Director
Keyboard: Davarrius Wilson
Organ: Deontae Swanigan
Guitar: Aram Feriants
Bass: Keelan Jones
Drums: Joshua Metcalf
Alto
Gail Blackstone
Whitley Butler
Chris Cerk
Elizabeth Conlon
Garrett Dee
Kim Evans
Tuly Faden
Alex Gaulin
Carla Guzman
Amy Hepburn
Jackie Heredia
Katie Kraus
Jen Locklear
Joan Lynch
Leslie McClellan
Debbie Mohica
Kelly Neuls
Savannah Newcomb
Genevieve O’Keefe
Rachel Quan
Karen Schrier
Sunny Sonnenschein
Edra Stewart
Jenny Sweeney
Soprano
Henry Albarrán
Carissa Crowton
Ann Gonyea
Katherine Hughes
Kenzie Hughes
Rosalind Jackson
Sheila Jones
Richborn
Hope Kracht
Hon. Carolyn Love Rivers
LaTanya Schwalb
I’mani Sellers
Joy Slattery
Stephanie Smith
Rebecca Steiner
Lisa Szymanski
Marie Vesely
Peggy Wingo
Caryn Woods
Tenor
Melody Bickhem
Jane Dorado
Sally Gawle
Daniel Killins
Gwen Macsai
Sue Neuls
Lucy Pabst
Giovanni Perez
Jill Selinger
Princess Smith
Bass
Addison Domingo
Book by Thomas Meehan and Mark O'Donnell
Music by Marc Shaiman
Lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman
Based on the New Line Cinema film, written and directed by John Waters
Friday and Saturday, July 18 and 19 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, July 20 at 2 p.m.
Thursday-Saturday, July 24, 25 and 26 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, July 27 at 2 p.m.
You can't stop the beat in this big and bold musical about one girl's inspiring dream to dance. It's 1962 in Baltimore, and the lovable Tracy Turnblad has only one desire -- to dance on the popular "Corny Collins Show." When her dream comes true, Tracy is transformed from social outcast to sudden star. She must use her newfound power to dethrone the reigning Teen Queen, win the affections of heartthrob Link Larkin and integrate a TV network ... all without denting her 'do!
Hairspray, winner of eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, is piled bouffant-high with laughter, romance and deliriously tuneful songs.
Hairspray is presented through special arrangements with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are supplied by MTI, www.mtishows.com
AUDITIONS: Monday and Tuesday, May 19 and 20 at 6:30 p.m. Studio Theatre (open to the community)
Upcoming Events at the JLC
THE BROTHERS GRIMM SPECTACULATHON
CLC Theatre PLAY ON!
Saturday, April 12 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 13 at 2 p.m.
Thursday, Friday & Saturday, April 17, 18, & 19 at 7:30 p.m.
FEAR NO ART FESTIVAL
CLC Dance
Friday, April 25 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 26 at 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
JAZZ ENSEMBLES SPRING CONCERT
CLC Music
Friday, May 2 at 7:30 p.m.
WIND ENSEMBLE SPRING CONCERT
CLC Music
Sunday, May 4 at 4 p.m.
CHORAL ENSEMBLES SPRING CONCERT
CLC Music
Saturday, May 10 at 4 p.m.
CONCERT BAND SPRING CONCERT
CLC Music
Wednesday, May 14 at 7:30 p.m.
Online: jlcenter.clcillinois.edu
Phone: (847) 543-2300
We hope to see you at a future event!
Email for questions: clcboxoffice@clcillinois.edu
Box Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
College of Lake County
Board of Trustees
Torrie Mark Newsome, J.D.
Chair
Elected term: 2021-2025
Paul G. Virgilio, B.S., S.E., P.E.
Vice Chair
Elected term: 2021-2027
Allena Barbato, J.D., L.M.F.T.
Secretary
Elected term: 2023-2029
Pastor Jesus Gerena
Appointed term: 2024-2025
William M. Griffin, Ed.D.
Elected term: 2023-2029
Amanda D. Howland, J.D.
Elected term: 2021-2027
Julie B. Shroka, M.A.
Elected term: 2019-2025
Sulma Teruel
Student Trustee
Elected term: 2024-2025
Lori Suddick, Ed.D.,
President
Friday, April 25 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 26 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
A festival like no other, this annual, lively celebration features a variety of emerging choreographers, dancers, musicians, singers, actors, photographers, artists, graphic designers and poets. This event plays a vital role in supporting the artistic development and work of both our college students and community artists at large. The Fear No Art Festival celebrates diverse voices in the arts and is an inclusive space where every voice finds its place and every perspective shines.
James Lumber Center Staff
Alisa Baum
Executive Director
Jessica Daly
Patron Services Coordinator
Kim Dizzonne
Assistant to the Executive Director
Jeremy Eiden
Technical Coordinator
Peter Hansen
Technical Production Assistant
Alyssa Jean-Pierre
Box Office Assistant
Jessey Prugh
Audience Development Manager
