“Being here without anything music, it felt – it didn’t feel right within me,” said Soleille Manasse, the freshman criminal justice major who has taken it upon herself to revamp the Seton Hall Gospel Choir after it dissolved in 2022.
Manasse said she has done research and spoken to alumni, and those formerly connected to the program including Rev. Dr. Forrest M. Pritchett. Dr. Pritchett, a civil rights activist, mentor, and adjunct professor, previously served as the faculty advisor for the gospel choir and will continue to serve in that capacity.
The Seton Hall University Gospel Choir started in 1972 as a small group called “Jus Us” which included six members who wanted to connect with other people through gospel music. Later, the Center for Black Studies officially began sponsoring the choir, and it then became the Seton Hall University Gospel Choir, offering academic credit to anyone who participated.
Manasse’s passion for music began at a young age through singing at her church, later becoming a worship leader. She said she was also a section leader in her school choir.
“I love music,” Manasse said. “It’s such a big part of me.”
The re-vamped Gospel choir is a student-led initiative focused on community, building, and creating music together. They are not currently in rehearsal as Manasse said she is waiting for more members to join. She also said she hopes to have enough members to perform in the spring.
Manasse is not just looking for singers, she is looking for those who play instruments, perform spoken word, dance, and steppers as well. Those who are interested in joining the choir can go to the choir’s Instagram page @shugospel, or email Manasse at soleille.manasse@student.shu.edu.
Chloe Mullings is a writer for The Setonian’s Campus Life section. She can be reached at chloe.mullings@student.shu.edu.
