'Freedom and victory': Student choir leads North Central's Gospel Extravaganza
This story was updated to correct the time of the event.
Gospel singer Summer Youngberg has been with the Voices of Praise student choir at North Central College since 2018 when she was a junior at the Naperville school.
"It's uplifting. You still get the uplifting feeling," said the senior biology major. "The word 'inclusive' pops to mind, and 'festive.' Everybody has their own musicality."
Youngberg, choir vice president, said she is eager to get on stage with the choir again Saturday, Feb. 1, at the 32nd annual Gospel Extravaganza.
"It's going to be a lot of fun. I'm so excited for it," she said. "We have fun up there. Everyone's singing and we're laughing."
The evening of celebration and worship is set to begin at 3 p.m. in Wentz Concert Hall.
"Back in the day, Gospel Extravaganza was run by the Voices of Praise," said NCC sophomore Mikel Mays, the choir's president.
Mays said the choir was founded in 1988.
"It's been through many name changes," he said.
What has remained consistent is the group's devotion to gospel music. After a hiatus, the choir returned to regular performances in 2018, Mays said.
"Last year we did a lot of performances on campus and in the community," he said.
Saturday night, Voices of Praise plans to deliver a playlist that includes "Our God is Greater" by Chris Tomlin, "Way Maker" by Maranda Curtis and Eddie James' "Freedom," Mays said.
Youngberg said the James song is one of her favorites. "There's so much excitement in that one. Everybody is pumped to sing that one," she said.
Mays said Chicago's City Point Singers and EV3 will perform, along with the Wheaton College Gospel Choir.
"Our house music will be by Lamar Marc Music," an ensemble that includes an organist, pianist, bass player and drummer, Mays said.
Vocalist Cassidy Campbell, a 2017 North Central graduate, returns to Gospel Extravaganza for her second appearance in the event.
"She did it so well we had to bring her back," said Mays.
Mays said his passion for gospel music began when he was a child in Gary, Indiana.
"I grew up in the church. I've been in church all my life. I grew up Baptist and now nondenominational," he said. "Since I was a kid, I started playing drums in church choir."
These days, the music education major said, he plays piano and performs vocals.
"It's the feeling of freedom and victory. When you watch God bring you through stuff, the music is indescribable. To me, gospel is the good news."
Youngberg said her efforts to promote the concert include designing the concert poster and leading social media outreach.
She appeared with the Voices of Praise in last year's Gospel Extravaganza and she said she's hoping this year's concert attendance tops the 2019 edition.
"We had so many people come out," she said. "We're hoping to build on those numbers."
"It's a fun atmosphere," said Mays. "Anyone can come out and clap, sing along, dance, catch the Holy Ghost if they know him."
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Gospel Extravaganza
When: 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1
Where: Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville
Admission: $10 for adults, $3 for students, children and seniors
Info: (630) 637-7469 or finearts.northcentralcollege.edu