The Festival of Negro Spirituals: The Recap

On Saturday February 4th, The Church Baton Rouge hosted the 27th Annual Festival of Negro Spirituals.
Since the festivals’ origin in 1991, it has been one of the most prestigious events in Louisiana that takes place in honor of Black History Month.
With numerous performances from many different choirs, artists, and organizations, including hometown favorite, the Southern University Concert Choir, the most recent incarnation of the Festival was nothing short of awe-inspiring.
Like many local events pertaining to Black History Month, local participation for the festival was expected, especially by the older generations.
The turnout for this year’s festival however, left not a single seat unfilled. With a diverse audience made up of the young, old, white, and black, there is no question that this years’ festival defied expectations and had a turnout worthy of a larger venue, as even a half hour into the festivals’ beginning, the crowd continued to grow until the upper portion of the sanctuary, which is normally reserved for the pastor and his family, was opened to the public.
While there was no shortage of youth in the building, there were many schools in attendance who came prepared to showcase just how much talent that the youth of Louisiana has to offer.
An appearance from Park Forest Middle Chorus group gifted the audience with beautiful young voices composed by Park Forest Choir Director, Shelton Smith.
It was the McKinley High School Chamber Choir that stole the show as they did a stunning incarnation of Hold On, directed by choir director, Leroy Johnson.
With performances from numerous different organizations and choirs, this festival lived up to the highest of expectations and gave the people the perfect mix of soul and classical gospel music.
In terms of performance however, the two college choirs of Grambling State and Southern University stole the show towards the end of the festival.
Grambling’s incarnation of A Little Talk With Jesus and Southern’s stellar performance of Angels Watching Over Me highlighted what was a fantastic showing for all the acts that had the opportunity to perform.
With performances from Acadiana Ecumenical Choir, New Dimensions Choral Society and many more, this years’ Festival of Negro Spirituals delivered in every single aspect.
From acapella to soul to gospel, there was something for everyone in attendance, regardless of race, age, or political affiliations.
With Black History Month just beginning, the Festival of Negro Spirituals kicked it off with a sort of emotion and soul that critics would be hard-pressed to find anywhere else.
With a huge turn out and cultural diversity not seen in many African-American oriented environments, this year’s Festival of Negro Spirituals was one for the books.