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Revue: A Weekly Guide to Arts & Entertainment
August 16-20, 1994

Climbing the Ladder of Glory

"Gospel on the Roof" aspires to new heights during its ninth year of song and celebration.

By ANDREW BACSKAI

When the Minneapolis YWCA first presented its gospel program nine years ago, the event took place indoors and attracted about 50 people. Since that first performance, attendance has exploded into the hundreds, catapulting the event onto the YWCA roof.

"I never thought this would become an annual event. After the first two years, though, I could see it was on its way up," said Robert "Eddie" Robinson, a local gospel singer who's performed in the annual gospel showcase since its inception. "I was the first piece of entertainment the poor souls ever got," he said good-naturedly. "They asked if I would come and sing for the first event, and I've been singing every since."

The ninth annual "Gospel on the Roof" program takes place Aug. 17 atop the YWCA building in downtown Minneapolis. In addition to Robinson, who's directed the Minneapolis Community College (MCC) Choir, this year's lineup includes the Bethesda Senior Choir, the Disciples of Faith, the Excelsior Chorale Ensemble and the YWCA Children's Center Singers. Robinson said that none of the participating ensembles are professionals, but they're all very talented. He said that the goal of the event is not to present a polished, heavily produced program, but rather to create an atmosphere of community and celebration.

"It's not like we're at the State Theatre or anything. We all come together, and we're all really comfortable. We all just have a wonderful time," Robinson said.

Robinson has been singing gospel music for all but about five of his 34 years. Both his parents were ministers in the Pentecostal church, and spiritual music was central to his life throughout his childhood. "My roots in gospel go really deep," Robinson said.

Although Robinson's love of the music has never waned, his attitude about the universal accessibility of gospel has changed. "Gospel music is not just about black people; it's for all people," he said. "I want to see this message reach a non-religious place so all people can receive the message of the music."

He said the change in his attitude about gospel occurred when he started singing with the Minneapolis Gospel Sound about six years ago. The troupe, he said, performed for primarily white audiences, who responded enthusiastically. "That was a real, real, real change for me," he said.

"The message of gospel music," he added, "is not to repel, but to draw--to find out what love, peace, and happiness is all about."

Robinson, whose rich, resounding voice left the Gospel Sound about a year ago, is currently the director of the MCC Choir and Gospel Ensemble. He said he doesn't read music very well, so he teaches gospel music using the rote method, which is based on memory. Robinson plays a particular song for his students to use as a general guideline, then encourages them to sing the song as if it were their own.

"Gospel came about as an expression of the soul, from slaves singing about hardship and pain," he said. "When you sing gospel, you should express it the way you do on the inside--let it be a personal expression for you."

Robinson said that he and his ensemble won't prepare a program for "Gospel on the Roof." They'd rather play along with the casual, celebratory environment that's created every year on the roof of the YWCA.

"When I can wing it, I'll wing it," he said. "If there's time to rock, then let's rock. If we need to be sweet and mellow, well, there's time for that, too."

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