In celebration of Black History month the Cerritos College Choirs will have a concert on Feb. 24 at 1 p.m.
The concert will be held at the Sky Rose Chapel at Rose Hills in Whittier. The admission for the concert will be free.
The concert has been put together by Dr. Christine Sotomayor-Lopez who is the head coordinator of the performance at Cerritos College and as well as the director.
The name of the concert is the Origins of Gospel Music: A Musical and Narrative Journey. Lopez’s choir performed at the Sky Rose Chapel last October and it was so well received that they were asked to return again and perform it for Black History Month.
Lopez wrote the program with narration that takes place of African American History (from the beginning). The concert will begin with sacred spiritual gospel music and then Lopez will take it all the way and turn into contemporary gospel music.
Lopez says, "This is a great way to highlight my three choirs. I have Traditional, Pop, and Gospel choir. So I am able take each choir and present this part of history."
The program will also consist of other choirs performing a variety of gospel music to pay tribute to Black History Month.
On Feb. 25, Lopez and Gregory Schriener who are both the head coordinator of this performance and faculty members here at Cerritos College.
The concert will take place at the Bristol Civic Auditorium in Bellflower. Admission will be $10 for adults and $8 for students. The concert will begin at 2:30 p.m.
Lopez and Schriener have performed together for many years; and this is their second time returning to the Bristol Civic Auditorium. They have also performed at the Faculty Gala here at Cerritos College.
Some of the American composer that Lopez and Schreiner will be performing are George Gershwin (two pieces), Samuel Barber, Dave Rubeck, an arrangement by the play "Billy the Kid," and Erin Copeland.
Lopez has been a pianist ever since she was 6 years old; she began taking lessons when she was very young. And she has spent most of her life performing as a pianist.
Schreiner also became a pianist at very young age. Schriener has a very large and strong following of students here at Cerritos College.
Lopez says, "His a very accomplished pianist and we truly enjoy teaming up together and performing."
She continues "What’s so important about faculty members performing is because it gives our students an opportunity to see their teachers perform, because in the classroom you really don’t have an opportunity. Plus the students our able to see the caliber of musicians that are here at Cerritos College."
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