Gospel choir to perform in Sisters

The Gospel Choir of the Cascades is coming to Sisters. This relatively new Central Oregon choir was formed only two years ago and has already grown to more than 40 members. Gospel Choir Director, Julie Eberhard, is looking forward to bringing the group to Sisters.

"The Gospel Choir has always wanted to perform in Sisters," said Eberhard. "Sisters is a great place for the arts, and there are so many talented musicians who live there, so we are really excited to perform among them!"

The performance will be held at Sisters Community Church, on the McKenzie Highway, just east of Sisters Middle School. The concert will begin at 4 p.m. on Saturday afternoon, December 19.

The Gospel Choir complements a music-filled weekend in Sisters, and its performance on Saturday afternoon is sandwiched between Friday and Sunday concerts by the Sisters Chorale. Several Sisters area residents are also among the Gospel Choir's members.

Eberhard says that the Gospel Choir's mission is to "bring great music to all, uplifting hearts and spirits. We love to make our audiences feel better by the time they leave...."

Toward that end, the choir members will not only be inviting audience participation, they will be encouraging it. Most of the music will consist of familiar Christmas songs and include such selections as "Amen," "Rise Up Shepherd and Follow," "Silent Night," "Joy to the World," and "Little Drummer Boy."

Eberhard describes the group as "a powerful community gospel choir that sings all styles of gospel music and is backed up by a full rock band." She has a degree in music from the University of Oregon and is very active on the Central Oregon music scene. Eberhard is also the Praise Team Leader at First Presbyterian Church in Bend. Her son, Kyle, plays drums in both groups and also with a local garage band, the Tree Dwellers, now receiving national attention.

She emphasizes that the concert is absolutely free, but donations are being accepted for Project Peanut Butter (PPB). Eberhard learned about PPB on the television news show, 60 Minutes. PPB provides a fortified peanut butter product, called Plumpynut, to severely malnourished children in Africa.

"My immediate response," she said, "was that the Gospel Choir needed to do a fundraiser to help purchase this lifesaving food. We had our first fundraiser in November of 2008, and we raised nearly $1,000. It was a huge success in our eyes, because not only did we raise money, but we raised awareness about Plumpynut...."

Eberhard explained that Plumpynut is easily digested, doesn't require refrigeration, and has more protein and nutrients than other supplements. According to PPB literature, the product has directly and dramatically increased survival rates of children suffering from extreme malnutrition.

"It's actually very delicious stuff," she said, "so it's no wonder the children of Africa love to eat it. We will have a sample of some homemade Plumpynut at the concert so people can try it.

"We hope to lift people's spirits with music," Eberhard said, "and also allow people to give (if they are able) to this truly life-saving charity."

For more information about the concert, contact Eberhard at 390-2441. For further information about Plumpynut, see http://www.projectpeanutbutter.org.