About 1,200 people came to hear 200 singers from the United States and four countries at the second-annual Bahá’í Choral Concert May 18 at the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette, Ill.


Choral ConcertThe concert was the culmination of three days of hard work by Van Gilmer, the internationally celebrated director of music at the Bahá’í Temple, and the singers, who flocked into town three days before the concert for a series of intense practice sessions and reconnecting with friends.

Cheryl Sensabaugh of Hamilton, Ontario, said, "It is such a wonderful thing being here to sing the praises. It renews my spirit. I just love singing for Van. He brings the best out in everybody."

The audience seemed to agree, as they listened to the heavenly voices fill the auditorium of the temple at its 12:30 p.m. Sunday devotions program.

Following the indoor concert, which lasted more than an hour, the choir performed a series of gospel-tinged tunes outside on the steps of the temple. At the first-annual festival, this “encore” performance was spontaneous. It was so well-received that it is now part of the program.

The singers were the first to be moved by three days of practice and preparation. "I've just spent three days in Paradise," said Sam Godard of Wilmette.

"I was so moved—I couldn’t stop crying. ... It’s not just the beauty of the music. The choir was so in love with each other," said Pamela Brode of Durham, N.C. “We’re here because of our love for Bahá'u'lláh, but that led to a feeling of love that the choir members felt for each other. It’s the spirit that’s so powerful.”

Karl Slater, a Bahá’í and singer from Downers Grove, Ill., said he was reminded of Bahá'u'lláh’s pertinent words: “We, verily, have made music as a ladder for your souls, a means whereby they may be lifted up unto the realm on high.”