By Avi Aronson

Visual and Performing Arts student Avi Aronson will be bringing us regular updates from the Center for the Arts. Read below for his first installment – with so many amazing events going on, there will be plenty more to come!

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If you want to learn how to shoot a long range three point shot you are going to want someone like long time Celtic, Ray Allen, teaching you. If it were your backstroke you are looking to perfect, Michael Phelps would be your best option. If you want to be shown what it’s like to stand a crowd up and ring the walls of a performance hall with just the power of your voice, you may want to direct your attention to Donnell Patterson.

At the beginning of this week, Gospel genius Donnell Patterson, from the New England Conservatory of Music, completely shook the walls of the Rose Performance Hall. Along with a few of his own choir members, Donnell led Endicott’s choir group into the world of Gospel singing. Now, you may be thinking that Gospel is all about the Big Guy, upstairs. God is of course whom I am referring to. Yet, Donnell explains that it is so much more than a religious practice. Gospel, according to Mr. Patterson, is not so much about God, but hope; hope for everything around us.

Monday kicked off with short introductions and a crash course in vocal adrenalin, followed Tuesday by a wild discussion of hip-hop and Gospel. But, it’s not over just yet. This Friday will be the last performance in the Rose Performance Hall featuring a taste of both the Berkley Ensemble, Endicott Singers, and their rendition of Gospel music, as well as the voices of the NEC Community Gospel Choir. So, take a little break from studying and watch your peers rock the Center for the Arts tonight (the 24^th) at 7:30 PM.