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Pittsburgh Gospel Choir Prepares For Fall Concert

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- The sanctuary resounds with music, as the Pittsburgh Gospel Choir rehearses for the upcoming fall festival concert at East Liberty Presbyterian Church.

Dr. Herbert Jones is the energetic director of a choir with 105 voices. Dr. Jones says Gospel music is part storytelling.

"Some people can tell the story like this," he says with a broad gesture, "as opposed to others telling the story like this." He affects a calm tone. "But the story is told. But if you don't own it, if you don't feel it, if you don't own it, you can't tell it."

The word "gospel" means "good news" and these singers find the news to be very good, indeed.

For singer Buena Vista Williams, the words come right from the Bible. "When we're singing, I hear the words that I read, and that's what's on my mind."

"The next thing you know you've forgotten about all the woes and the trials and tribulations that you're singing about," Pamela Benson adds "You forget about them and we're just having a good time."

The fall concert takes place Saturday, November 19, at East Liberty Presbyterian Church.

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