Singing his praise
Michele Marr
They do it for the love of sharing music and sharing the Gospel.
The 65 men and women of the Gary Bonner Singers choral group
perform in 30 to 40 concerts each year. Many are held in churches,
large and small and some in settings such as the courtyard garden of
Mission San Juan Capistrano or the annual New Year’s Praise concert
at Knott’s Berry Farm.
They come from a variety of backgrounds and occupations. They sing
a Capella.
All are trained musicians -- such as alto Jennifer Ulrich, who
graduated from Azusa Pacific University and is now studying for a
master’s in conducting, or soprano Kelly Brown, the performers
coordinator at the School of Music at California Baptist University,
who has studied under Gary Bonner for 13 years.
All are volunteers -- paid purely in the satisfaction they glean
from singing and sharing a repertoire of more than 60 songs .
Ulrich, who has been singing with the group for three years, finds
her greatest reward in “being able to sing in a group that is so good
and having the fellowship of everyone,” she said. “I love the music
we do. We all love doing this.”
They sing familiar favorites such as “A Mighty Fortress,” as well
as songs that have been commissioned and written for just for them,
such as “The Mind of Christ,” by contemporary composer Mark Hayes.
On Nov. 24 at 6 p.m., the Gary Bonner Singers will perform in
Huntington Beach at Christ Presbyterian Church. Cricket Robinson, who
is an elder at the church and the director of its outreach committee,
said the church is excited to be able to invite the group to share
their music with the community.
“Music can touch us in ways that mere words can’t,” she said. “It
has been a form of praise throughout the ages and it helps us glorify
our Lord while spreading the message of his love to others.”
The concert is free. Arrive early since available seats for the
group’s performances typically fill quickly.
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