Mother Bethel AME Mass Choir Presents FREE Spring Concert "Musical Moments"

PHILADELPHIA - May 9, 2019 - PRLog -- The Mother Bethel AME Mass Choir, under the direction of Jonas Crenshaw, Jr., will present its Spring Concert entitled "Musical Moments" on Sunday, June 2, 2019, at 6:00 pm, at Mother Bethel AME Church, located at 419 South 6^th Street in Philadelphia's Society Hill neighborhood. The concert will be a celebratory review of Mother Bethel Mass Choir's most memorable moments in ministry.  In the first half of the evening, the choir will render selections that celebrate the African American experience singing: African folk songs; spirituals; and acapella and anthem arrangements of hymns and gospel classics.  In the second half of the concert, each selection will reference a "musical moment" in Mother Bethel AME Church Mass Choir's history.

In addition to the concert, the Mother Bethel Historical Society will present a "Gallery of Musical Moments," featuring photos, videos, and artifacts from Mother Bethel's music ministry history that span across more than 200 years.  This musical and historical experience promises to be a treat for all who attend.

"The Mother Bethel Mass Choir has performed for national programs including the Democratic National Convention, the National Urban League Conference, National NAACP Convention, and the Congressional Liberty Medal of Freedom," says the church's pastor Rev. Mark Kelly Tyler, PhD., "The choir has also shared the stage with renowned recording artists including Phillip Bailey, Shirley Caesar, Eric Benet, Chrisette Michele, Eddie Levert, Smokie Norful and others. This is a great opportunity for Mother Bethel AME Mass Choir to share these unforgettable musical moments with members, family, and friends in what is sure to be a powerful evening."

The concert is being produced and directed by Jonas Crenshaw, Jr., Minister of Music and Arts at Mother Bethel AME Church. "When I first joined Mother Bethel, Rev. Tyler asked me to help create an education ministry," says Crenshaw, who is also the Senior Director of Academic Systems for Mastery Charter Schools. "I said yes, but shared that my passion was music and I had been directing choirs since high school and also co-directed the Alcorn State University Gospel Choir during my college days. I was blessed to receive an opportunity to share my musical gifts at Mother Bethel, and the entire experience has been a blessing since then."

Crenshaw assembled the Mother Bethel AME Church Mass Choir a little more than five years ago as a means of continuing Mother Bethel's rich musical heritage, while also infusing new spiritual energy through more modern gospel arrangements. Members of the Mass Choir participate in one or more of the four other choirs within the Mother Bethel Music Ministry but blend their voices "en masse" to offer spirited and anointed praise and worship to God.  From classical selections and anthems to contemporary gospel music, the Mother Bethel Mass Choir sings a variety of music and is the official musical ambassador of the church.

"Musical Moments" will begin promptly at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 2, 2019.  Admission for the evening is free with a free-will offering during the intermission.  Doors to the sanctuary open at 5:00 pm and free overflow parking will be made available at nearby McCall Elementary School parking lot.  For more information contact the church at (215) 925-0616. All media inquiries should be directed to Leslie Patterson-Tyler, Communications Director, at leslie@tylermademedia.com or by calling (609) 247-2632.