Paul Abrams is an excited man. The senior computer science major who is also the President of BASIC (Born Again Students in Christ) will oversee the first ever campus Gospel Concert.
The event starts at 7:00 p.m. and lasts until 10:30. It will take place in the Student Union Ballroom.
The event’s goal, according to Abrams, is to share the “true meaning of Christmas” and to celebrate Christ.
“We’re all about sharing the good news of Jesus Christ,” Abrams said.
The concert will feature performances by two state choirs: Dubee and Freedom House. According to Abrams, Dubee has recently cut an album. But joining these two more nationally known acts will be local talent including Genevieve Legros, as well Dominic and Lisa Breen, the Gladden sisters, Rachel Jean-Marie and Marcus Barnett.
Jean-Marie will dance at the show while Barnett will recite poetry.
A representative of the Gladden Sisters said that they will perform both by themselves and with the Holy Temple Youth choir out of Springfield.
Abrams said that he is “definitely excited” about the event.
“This is the first time that we really get to go into the community,” he said. “This is our first outreach in a sense. This is the first time for people to share what Christ means to them.”
Abrams said he hopes that this event will focus more on the true meaning of Christmas. Because it is a time of reflection, Abrams said, people should have the opportunity to sit down and look at their purpose in life.
“It isn’t about the gifts; this time of year is about Christ, the reason behind the season,” Abrams said. “I hope people walk away from this event with maybe a hope they haven’t had before. I hope they can walk away with the fact that there is a God that loves them, if I may be so bold.”
Abrams hopes that, as a result of this event, University of Massachusetts might get its choir back.
“Amherst College has their own, official choir and yet, we’re a really big school but we have no official choir,” said Abrams. “Harvard and Boston University have theirs, so we hope that this might lead to a sort of resurrection, in a sense, of similar activities on campus.”
The free event is open to all students and Abrams said that he expects other Christian RSOs to show up, as well as other area groups including MALCOM (More Abundant Life Christian Outreach Ministries) out of Springfield.