Their voices filled the chapel, echoing off the rows of empty pews. Some singers closed their eyes, and most swayed back and forth to the rhythm of the music.

In perfect harmony, 15 different souls sang worship songs and praised God, rousing a sleepy lone visitor to full attention. For a brief moment, nothing stood in the way of the powerful voices coming from the front of the room, until the ring of a singer’s cell phone interrupted the sanctity of the scene.

But as she turned it off, the other singers smiled and continued singing.

Three days before the 25th anniversary concert of the Georgetown University Gospel Choir, the group was in full rehearsal at St. William’s Chapel, preparing for an event for this weekend bringing current and former choir members and the campus community together in a celebration of Georgetown’s acclaimed gospel ensemble.

“It’s going to be a wonderful event. It’s going to be uplifting and encouraging,” Heather Thomas (COL ’05), president of GU Gospel Choir, said. “One of the great things about gospel choir is that it’s a story of what we’ve been through. Our lives aren’t perfect, and we have things that go wrong and make you want to quit, so you got to keep going.”

Thomas could have been speaking for the choir itself. Founded in 1980 as the Gospel Ensemble, it endured periodic bouts with the administration over its status in Campus Ministry and at times suffered loss of leadership and lack of funding.

According to former choir president Cherise Williams (COL ’05), who is a HOYA staff writer, in 2001 the director of the choir resigned from his position after unspecified tension between himself and Campus Ministry, which would not pay for a new director.

A collective faith in God compels each choir member to search for spiritual meaning behind the lyrics of their songs.

“What is this song for?” Thomas asked the group after rehearsal Tuesday. “Are these just words on paper or do they mean something for us?” The singers were assembled in the pews, sharing personal stories of how each person has been influenced by their faith and encouraging each other in their spiritual struggles.

Thomas urged each singer to inject their own spirituality into the music to reach the audience.

“When we sing, learn the songs. Take ownership of them. Meditate on the words, and make them a part of you. If you have a story to tell, somebody’s going to get blessed,” she said.

Putting past uncertainties behind them, the choir is ready to celebrate its current strength and accomplishments this Saturday with the theme “We’ve come this far by faith.”

The Gospel Choir performed at the Let Freedom Ring/Martin Luther King concert at the Kennedy Center in 2003 and again for the next two years. Concerts on campus draw around 300 people, Williams said.

“The choir has a bright future ahead. We plan to continue with our anniversary celebration in October. Also, we hope to release a CD in the near future. We’re really excited about all the good things going on, and we give God the praise. We have so much to be grateful for,” Williams said.

Between 20 and 30 choir alumni are expected to attend this weekend’s concert and reception, Thomas said.

“This year we’re really excited about the alumni and founding members coming back. A lot of history will be there,” she said.

Leviticus Thomas, director of the choir for the past four years, is responsible for teaching the members songs and how to interpret gospel music. Although he is also a choral director at St. James AME church in the local area, Thomas is on campus twice a week in preparation for a major concert like the 25th anniversary concert.

“[The choir singers] have sincerely put in a lot of time and effort,” he said. “I’m excited to see the fruits of their labor. It’s a real labor of love.”

The draw of alumni to the concert brings additional excitement for veteran leaders like Thomas.

“I look forward to seeing a lot of old and new friends in the music ministry, and just to be able to collaborate and to open doors, create a sense of fellowship,” he added.

The student members of the choir will be joined by alumni during the performance. A reception, open to all members of the community, will follow afterwards.

“Gospel stirs the soul and touches the heart,” Williams said. “[In] past years, we’ve been blessed and try to bless others through song. Indeed, we’ve come this far by faith! That’s why this celebration is so important.”