American Idol - Choir Style

Nationwide Search to Find 'Most Exciting Church Choir' Begins This Fall
Wednesday, Apr. 26, 2006 Posted: 7:48:11AM EST

A new competition to find America’s ''most exciting church choir as defined by its music'' will be sweeping the nation this fall, with a half-million dollar educational scholarship awaiting the winning church.

Voices of Joy” will stage live competition in 12 cities across the United States, including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, Seattle, and Washington, D.C., with all churches within a 100 mile radius welcome to submit an entry. Those chosen for the local, regional and finals competitions will be judged on inspiration, performance, and originality, according to the Voices of Joy website.

“Voices of Joy is really an introduction to a missing link – something that is not now in a proper space,” said the Rev. Floyd Flake of Allen African American Methodist Episcopal Church. “People being able to have a voice – I think this is a space that needs to be filled.”

The competition will also be televised nationally as a reality series for the entire 13 week duration.

"I think the concept of a show, reality show or musical show, based on church choirs is fantastic,” said Musical Director Craig Jessup, “music and inspiration wherever it might be.”

Local competitions begin Sept. 9 with entry deadline on Aug. 18. For complete rules and information, visit www.voicesofjoytv.com.

i thought this was pretty great

Jasper's Pics

Here are a few pictures of where heather and i will be working this summer. Yes, it is a theater built in the shape of a barn. No, we will not be performing - but it should be a ton of fun.


a shot of the outside


the inside. it has been constucted using old peices of the town throughout, including old theater seats from the high school auditorium


a random shot of the stage. i have no idea who that is marching - looks like daniel

flood photos

Here are some photos of the flood. make sure to read the signs in the photo

Blake is visited by the Holy Spirit

Heather out for her morning constitutional

The park was apparently closed

this is a picture of the dike they build down the road from heather. the temporary clay dykes in fargo cost $250,000

Jasper's Jubilee Theater

So, this is where I'll be working this summer. I'll post some pictures in the next few days. I know it has been a while since my last post, but many are on the way, including photos from a disposable camera that include the pas 7 months or so. Don't worry Jen, I'll put up some pictures of the flood.