The United Voices of Praise Story

In 1995, Musical Director Charles Bradshaw encouraged the members of the new gospel choir at United Church of Chapel Hill to sing with the choir of Fisher Memorial Holy Church in Durham in a Christmas musical. Most of Fisher's congregation is African-American; United Church's is mostly white. Both choirs immediately realized the spiritual and musical potential if the two groups became one. They believed that God was bringing them together. United Voices of Praise was born.

United Voices of Praise has toured Germany regularly in alternating years since 1997 and added Paris, France, to its European tour in 2003. A visit to England may be added in 2005. These tours have enriched lives, deepened friendships and spiritual relationships and created strong, new ones among choir members and those whose paths they have crossed. Enthusiastic audiences fill beautiful sanctuaries of beautiful, ancient European churches to capacity to hear the choir sing. United Voices of Praise's visits to Germany have spawned a new gospel choir in Cologne, The Gospelonians. The new group has visited the United States and has recorded a CD.

Of United Voices of Praise, one German reviewer wrote: "The singers, all dressed in black, had something really special to offer: a round, full sound and gospel songs whose rhythm gets right under the skin, emotion-filled, sensitively interpreted spirituals. All the songs had their common focus on the praise of God, with Jesus at their center. These are songs full of longing, deep spirituality, but also full of the joy of life. This integrated choir recognizes that through the Holy Spirit its members find reconciliation, and they seek to share this with the world."

At home, United Voices of Praise carries out its ministry by singing in services both at Fisher church and United Church. The choir also sings frequently in the community, at other churches and at prisons, and at such community events as the annual Martin Luther King breakfast in Research Triangle Park and service at Duke University Chapel.

United Voices of Praise has recorded two compact discs: "One in the Spirit" in 1999 and "Healing" in 2003. The "Healing" CD is available for $15 (U.S.) or 15 Euros from United Church of Chapel Hill, unitedchurch.org, 919-942-3540.

Members of the choir and their families all share a genuine love for one another. They pray together and care for one another as a family does, rejoicing in each one's joys and comforting one another in times of sorrow and pain.