The University Gospel Choir performed with the Blue & Gold Marching Machine Saturday during halftime of the football team’s 16-3 defeat over Florida A&M.

The performance that had been planned for over a month happened to take place a week after an alumni band member, Desiree Howard, died.

Howard died from heart failure, she had been battling for several years, on Oct. 27.

A silent, half filled stadium directed its attention toward the field as the band and gospel choir assembled to perform 3 moving pieces together: “Center of My Joy,” “I’ll Make It,” and “Thank You Lord.”

It had not been stated previously, but this performance was an understood dedication to the fallen alumni band member.

The initial idea came from Kenneth Ruff, band director.

Thomas Jones, arranger, drill writer and music instructor for the band said Ruff is a very spiritual person so it is no surprise that he would want to team up with the gospel choir once again for a performance.

The band and choir had a month and a half to prepare for this performance simultaneously.

They still had to prepare for other performances separate from one another such as homecoming events, tours and road trips.

“It was an overwhelming pleasure to work with Dr. Ruff, the staff and the band. The students did a phenomenal job,” said Ronald Jones, the Director for the University Gospel Choir.

Jones said the choir already gets a high degree of exposure, but this performance helped make others more aware of them.

The timing was great, though tragic. Since September, the band and gospel choir have been working together to plan a half time performance.

It was a coincidence that the passing of Howard occurred exactly one week before the performance but her passing made this performance even more significant.

The loss of Howard had an effect on both the band and choir, as she had friends within both organizations.

Aaron Campbell, a senior industrial and systems student from Atlanta and best friend to Howard, reminisces their friendship. “She was absolutely one of my best friends. She never hesitated to help with or give me whatever I needed. We shared a bond that I only have with a couple of other people,” Campbell said.

Howard played in the band from 2004-2006 as a proud Ebony Queen, the name of the clarinet section. She graduated in December of 2009.

“As the week went on, we knew that we were dedicating the entire performance to her. It wasn’t said, but it was understood,” said Thomas Jones.

The mood was somber. Jones could sense that the band members were emotional as they hit the field.

For the band and choir, this may have been an emotional performance, but the audience loved it.

Initially, the crowd sang to the instrumental of “I Will Bless the Lord” that the band played while getting into formation.

Javon Robinson, a senior sociology social work major from Durham, loved the half time show. “I don’t know many HBCU’s that would have their band and choir perform with one another,” Robinson said.

His favorite part was when they performed “Thank You Lord” because of the audience’s reaction.

The band and gospel choir had not performed together since 2007.

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• Kimberly Fields, Staff Reporter