Celebrating through song, a Wilmette children’s choir belted out gospel music alongside a renowned composer during an ode to Black History Month.
Rollo Dilworth, director of choral programs at North Park University in Chicago, brought 15 of his own students to join the music workshop at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Wilmette.
“It was spectacular,” said Patty Jane Pelton, pastoral associate at the church, who popped in on Tuesday’s workshop. “It was very joyful, upbeat music.”
The church choir, consisting of 50 children in Grades 2 through 8, will perform their new compositions during mass Sunday. Dilworth helped them with two pieces, “Revelation 19” and “I Need You to Survive.”
“It’s a wonderful opportunity to share this musical art form, that is the spiritual gospel tradition, with communities of all ages and all backgrounds,” Dilworth said. “I find that very much my mission and responsibility.”
St. Francis Xavier’s choir director, Beverly Baar, has invited Dilworth to conduct the annual workshop for the last four years as a way to help the youngsters learn how African-American gospel is performed, focusing on singing techniques, tone quality and movement.
“Because he’s more immersed in that style than I am, we asked him to come in,” said Baar, who also uses the workshop as a recruiting tool. “The kids love it.”
Choir member Mary Komlofske, 9, a 4th grader, has participated in three workshops.
“The Rollo workshop is really awesome,” said Mary, whose 8-year-old brother also sings in the choir. “What we usually sing is soft and gentle. Gospel is a little bit more swing.”
Maggie Shelton, 12, a 7th grader at Wilmette Junior High School, attended the workshop for the first time.
“He taught us some new techniques like enunciating some of the words and making some of them shorter and more crisp,” said Maggie, whose sister, Katie, 10, is also in the choir.
The college students benefited as well, Dilworth said.
“It was very exciting for me in that I saw my students serve as mentors for these young children,” he said. “I think it added to the excitement of young children because they were able to get additional reinforcement from singers who are more mature.”
