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.