Issue date: 2/25/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Andrea Logie-Brown Gillespie (standing) directing choir members during rehearsals.

    Walk through the halls of the music department in Building 46 on any given Thursday between 12:30 p.m. and 1:50 p.m., and you will hear two things - soulful gospel melodies and hearty laughter flowing from the room where UDC's gospel choir, "The Voices" meet. That's what you get when you spend time in any of Gerry Gillespie's classes - a spirited-filled time and a whole heap of fun. Gillespie has been directing "The Voices" and also teaches gospel improvisation here at UDC.

    He has the uncanny ability to find humor in just about every situation, yet still remain focused on extracting the best sound possible from his students. Make no mistake about it, Gillespie is serious about his music; he can make any piano or organ sing and his extremely keen musical ear is truly extraordinary. His gifted ears can also detect the softest whisper spoken out of turn while in rehearsals with him. Gillespie credits his mother for starting him on the course of gospel music. "I grew up in church listening to my mother sing and I started singing in church at the age of three, and from there it just bloomed," he said.

    He graduated from UDC with a Bachelor's degree in Music Education in December and now teaches students who sit where he once sat as well as working alongside professors who once taught him. When asked how he feels about such a full-circle transition, Gillespie remained speechless for a while - his sense of pride, coupled with a reverent humility was palpable. "It's mind blowing to go from a student to being colleagues with the people that you look up to and respect. I feel honored that they thought enough of what they instilled in me, to allow me to now give back to my alma mater," Gillespie said. He still finds it hard to call some of his former professors by their first name. "I just can't do it, it just doesn't feel right.

    I cannot call Ms. Korey, Judy." Gillespie's gospel journey has indeed been an interesting one. With early musical influences like Walter and Edward Hawkins, Robert Fryson, Henry Davis and Shirley Berkeley, he is now carving a niche for himself and building his own legacy. He has worked with gospel greats, Dorothy Norwood, Vickie Winans, Yolanda Adams, Mighty Clouds of Joy and the incomparable Aretha Franklin who he first worked with in 1998. His love for the music industry is intermingled with concern, as he believes the foundational knowledge of gospel music - hymns - is intense.

    "I am happy and sad at the same time. Happy because gospel music is drawing young people and after they are drawn they get a hold of the word and hopefully a change will happen. But I'm saddened because there is a multitude of extraordinarily talented young people playing music in the church but they don't have the foundation of the basics." Gillespie is also adamant about musicians being able to read sheet music. He quickly added that he is not knocking those who have the gift to play music by ear, but rather he is a firm believer that those who are gifted should fine-tune their gift and that involves being able to read music. As Gillespie continues on his gospel journey who knows where the road will lead? One thing remains certain; his path will indeed remain filled with melodious praise.

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