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UNIVERSITY
Gospel group celebrates ten years
By Marion Suitor
Emerald Contnoutor _
Ten years ago. a musical group of 23 members had to
give concerts in the orchestra room at the music school.
Today, the 130 people involved in the University Gospel
Ensemble are having a hard time finding a place for con
certs large enough to hold the ever-expanding audiences.
This term marks the 10th anniversary of the ensemble,
and |ohn Gainer, founder and director of the group,
couldn't be more pleased with its popularity.
"I find pleasure in the fact that students find the class
innovative and fun.” Gainer said. "It's been an interest
ing 10 years."
However, the ensemble didn't always meet with as
much approval as it does now.
When Gainer started the group winter term of 1983.
it was only as an experimental class that had two terms
to justify its existence. It was difficult to find rooms to
rehearse in. and Gainer had to coerce the dean of the music
school into giving the gospel ensemble a place to perform.
"It hasn't always been as easy us it is now," Gainer said.
"We were sort of a motherless child, floating from place
to place, searching for a permanent home."
The group's reputation spread and spring term enroll
ment was up to 53 singers and an instrumental section.
The dean of the music school was impressed, and fann
er's experimental ensemble was offered ns on official c lass
the following fall term.
"We had won over the dean and faculty," Gainer said,
"and it was all uphill from there ”
The- 150 students who auditioned for the c lass that term
were accepted, but when the group Icallooned to 280 mem
bers winter term and rehearsals hud to be moved to 180
PLC, Gainer knew it was time to limit enrollment
"They had to c art a piano over from the music build
ing for rehearsal," he said. "I hated to turn people away,
but the si/e was getting out of hand."
Gainer decided 150 singers and a rhythm section was
the number of people he could handle and still teach effec
tively. last fall term. Gainer cut that number down to 125.
"Our rehearsal spac e only holds 125, and with the
rhythm section up front, it can get kind of crowded."
he said.
Gainer said he would like to cap enrollment of the class
at 100 so the group could be more polished and profes
sional. He said he has requested that another gospel
ensemble class be started, but lack of funds and the
absence of another director make expansion unlikely
"It takes a lot of work and energy to put a group like
this together." Gainer said. "I don't know who is willing
to commit to leading another '
Individual members of the choir often step up to the
microphone and lielt out an impromptu solo, and ocen
f*M5*o try f ot*Wi
John Gainer, director and founder of Iha University
Gospel Ensemble, has worked to see his group Improve
and grow during the past 10 years
sionally a smaller ensemble is featured during concerts.
Junior laiAnno Patterson, o singer in the group, enjoys
singing in the smaller ensembles because she finds it more
difficult than singing in the larger group.
"The small groups are more challenging.' she said
"And I think they are sometimes more enjoyable both for
the crowd and the singers "
Gainer’s teaching style differs from the usual meth
ods used by choir directors. The group does not use sheet
music They learn songs by repeating lyrics and notes
Gainer recalls from memories of songs tie sang at the pen
tecustal church he attended as a child
"I have u gift for listening to something and remem
bering the tune." Gainer said "Besides, once the stu
dents are exposed to good gospel music, it doesn't take
Turn to GOSPEL. Page 5
Brand, ASUO:
Activism may help
offset Measure 5
By Natasha Shepard
E met aid Contribute*
University President Myles Brand and ASUO
Vice President Karmen Fore encouraged students to
octivoly endorse tax reform to counteract Ballot
Measure 5 at a special panel Wednesday.
The panel, which also included University Hous
ing Director Mike Eyster and member of the Uni
versity Senate and history Professor John Nicols.
discussed budget c:uts and future restructuring due
to the measure.
The Measure S budget cuts are expected to result
in the loss of a total of 296 jobs and numerous pro
grams bv June 30, Brand said.
Brand reported Governor Barbara Roberts' rec
ommendation was that tuition increase seven per
cent per year, whereas the State Board of Education
recommended an increase closer io 15 percent.
Brand predic ted ttic? inc rease will lie somewhere
between, but closer to seven percent.
Voters passed Measure 5 in an effort to help cre
ate a fairer tax structure, though two \e.irs have
passi-d without a successful attempt at legislation to
fill the void in revenue left hv the measure
As tiie state pays for basic school costs without
the revenue generated by properly taxes cut by Mea
sure 5. other programs experience a cut in budget,
including higher educ ation.
Fore is one of two students representing the Uni
versity on the Oregon Student Lobby, which is now
advocating tax reform to counteract the measure.
OSI. endorsed the VanVIiot sales tax bill, which
proposes a three to five pert enl sales tax dedicated
solely to edut ation, Fore said Food, medicine and
shelter would lx> exempt from the tax.
A tax reform lobby dav is planned for Marc h 3.
Buses will take students to the i.apilol, where a rut
ty will take place and students will ho encouraged
to talk to their representatives about their concern
for lhe future of higher education in Oregon.
Brand said college students have the power to
counteract the measure through voting. Fore
encouraged students to attend the tux reform rally
in Salem. Buses will moot at 10:30 a.m on (he cor
ner of 12th Avenue and University Street March 3.
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call 345-7600.
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Health Fair
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When: Thursday, Feb. 25th
5-7pm
Where: Hamilton Dorm Complex,
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