Lighthouse Singers Gospel Choir Offers Free Music Workshop In San Rafael

From the Lighthouse Singers Gospel Choir:

SAN RAFAEL, CA – Marin community comes together to learn and sing gospel songs in the African American tradition…singing gospel music since 1979. Adults and supervised children are welcome to participate. The Lighthouse Singers Gospel Choir is a nonprofit interdenominational community choir, interfaith and unaffiliated with any church. They are self-supported and 100 percent dependent on contributions from donors, members, and contributions during events. Director Reverend Ulis Redic is a talented pianist with a loving spirit and a strong desire to spread the "Good News" of gospel.

Rehearsals are from 7:30 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. Fridays at the First Presbyterian Church of San Rafael.

The Lighthouse Singers Gospel Choir are dedicated to cultural and spiritual outreach via the singing and teaching of gospel music. They reach their audiences via multi-faith and multi-racial church services, community service performances, inspirational gospel workshops and national gospel conventions. Acclaim for their beautiful harmonies, rich sound, and inspiring presence earned them honors at the Gospel Academy Awards, held annually at Oakland’s Paramount Theater.

Lighthouse was founded by Helen J.H. Stephens in 1979. Though her roots were in the Black Gospel tradition of New Orleans, Helen saw no reason why she couldn't start an authentic Gospel Choir in Marin County, California — despite the fact that Marin was mostly Caucasian. After three years of work Helen felt her choir was ready to perform with the best of the Gospel community in the East Bay. In 1983 Lighthouse was named "Most Promising Choir” at the Bay Area Gospel Awards.

At that point Helen believed Lighthouse was ready for the next challenge. She took Lighthouse to the prestigious Gospel Music Workshop of America National Convention in 1984; they were the first non-black choir to perform there and they blew the place away!

In 2009, Helen realized she was approaching the end of her career. She selected her 21-year-old protege, Rev. Ulis J. Redic, to succeed her as director. Helen passed away in 2014, but Lighthouse remains committed to her memory and her message. They continue to spread the spirit and vitality of Black Gospel music without regard for race, religion, or other societal boundaries.

In 2016, The Lighthouse Singers returned to the annual Gospel Music Workshop of America, in Birmingham, Alabama, and were met by enthusiastic fans and rave reviews.

Lighthouse continues to serve as an important bridge between diverse communities at a time when nothing is more desperately needed. They honor the music they sing and the tradition behind it — yet the fact that they’re not a traditional Black Gospel choir brings a unique joy and spirit to the communities they serve. In today’s world this is their way of crossing divides and healing old wounds in the simplest yet most powerful of ways – through the music.

The Lighthouse Singers Gospel Choir is self-supported and 100 percent dependent on contributions from donors, members, and contributions during events. They are interfaith and unaffiliated with any church, so these donations, singer’s fees, and"“passing the plate" fund their expenses.

As a 501(c)(3), all donations to Lighthouse are tax-deductible.

Image via Lighthouse Singers Gospel Choir