By Staff
REHEARSAL Jonas Crenshaw Jr. directs the Sweet Spirits Inspirational Choir during practice Friday night. Choir members include, front row from left, Sarah Davis, Kletina Hall, Laura McGlothin, Ambrea Lane, Nita Harris, Dorothy Holloway and Brittanye Kelly; middle row from left, Cassandra Turney and Tabitha Parker; and, on the back row, Albert Parker. PHOTO BY CARISA MCCAIN / THE MERIDIAN STAR
By Chris Whitaker / staff writer
June 29, 2002
The Sweet Spirits Inspirational Choir of Meridian will make its debut Sunday on "The United Methodist Hour" the first of two performances on the religious television show.
And Jonas Crenshaw, 24, co-director of the choir for three years, couldn't be happier. "The United Methodist Hour" airs on 17 stations in seven states, including 8 a.m. Sunday on WTOK.
The Sunday appearance is actually a tape recording of the choir's performance earlier this month on Mission Night at the 2002 Mississippi Annual Conference sponsored by the United Methodist Church.
The choir will perform "If Anyone Be in Christ."
Diverse membership
The Sweet Spirits Inspirational Choir has 35 singers who belong to Methodist, Baptist and Church of God denominations. It also has a 12-member brass and woodwind ensemble, five accompanists, a drummer and a bass guitarist.
The choir sings different styles of music, including traditional, classical, a cappella and contemporary gospel. Crenshaw said the group is inspired by gospel artist Richard Smallwood.
Crenshaw also enjoys writing and arranging music.
He said he started writing when he was attending Meridian High School. He has written 10 to 15 songs for the "Sounds of Triumph" the choir's brass and woodwind ensemble.
Best performance
Crenshaw said one of the best performances of the Sweet Spirits Inspirational Choir was at its Gospel Christmas Eve concert in 2001 when members performed "O Holy Night."
The group practices at 6 p.m. on Fridays, but may practice two or three times a week when preparing for scheduled performances. Crenshaw said the choir hopes to cut a record in the next year and a half.
Crenshaw also said it was rewarding to see the fruits of their practice and dedication from the group.