MOBILE, Ala. – The University of Mobile’s new gospel ensemble, Dunamis, welcomes the community to an unforgettable night of worship and praise with “Lift Every Voice and Sing: The Journey Continues.”
The free event begins at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 25, at Mt. Hebron Church Ministries, 2531 Berkely Avenue in Mobile.
This dynamic celebration of gospel music will feature a mass choir and surprise performances from some of the region’s most gifted gospel vocalists. Dunamis and guests will present powerful classics by legendary artists such as the Mississippi Mass Choir, Thompson Community Choir, Kurt Carr & the Kurt Carr Singers, Richard Smallwood and Donald Lawrence.
Power and Strength
Dunamis is an auditioned ensemble from UM’s Alabama School of the Arts (ASOTA) consisting of talented student vocalists and six mentor vocalists who serve as faculty, staff or leaders. The name, derived from the Greek word for “power” or “strength,” reflects the group’s mission to share the message of Acts 1:8 – receiving power through the Holy Spirit to impact lives through gospel music.
The ensemble is under the direction of Kenneth Brandon, UM worship leadership major and minister of music at Mt. Hebron Church Ministries, and Cory Anderson, UM alumnus and ASOTA coordinator of academic services.
The upcoming concert is a continuation of the powerful journey that began with Dunamis’ inaugural concert in February 2024, “From Dorsey to Dillard: An Evolutionary Journey through Gospel Music.” That event, which traced the rich history and evolution of gospel music, was the spark that led to the official formation of Dunamis.
A Clear Mission
Since its debut, Dunamis has quickly become a force in the Mobile gospel music community, captivating audiences with artistry, passion and commitment to honoring gospel’s deep cultural and spiritual roots. In just this first year, Dunamis has shared the stage with some of gospel music’s most influential artists, from singing background for gospel artist Maurette Brown-Clarke to opening for gospel legend John P. Kee.
Ensemble director Brandon says, “This year’s concert represents a full-circle moment for us. What started as a single event last year has now grown into a dedicated ensemble with a clear mission — to celebrate Christ’s nature through a powerful demonstration of culture. This is just the beginning, and we can’t wait to share this next chapter with you.”
Learn more about Dunamis and the Alabama School of the Arts at the University of Mobile at umobile.edu/um-info.
About the University of Mobile
The University of Mobile is a Christ-centered university with a vision of “Higher Education for a Higher Purpose,” founded to honor God by equipping students for their future professions in an environment where they are known. Located 10 miles north of Mobile, Alabama, on a campus of over 880 acres, the university offers associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in over 75 academic programs.The University of Mobile was founded in 1961 and is affiliated with the Alabama Baptist State Convention.
For information about the University of Mobile, areas of study, admissions and more, visit umobile.edu/um-info, connect with UM on social media @univofmobile, or call Enrollment Services at 1.800.WIN.RAMS or 251.442.2222.
Kathy Dean uses her passion for storytelling and “playing with words” to share the stories of people, place and purpose that make the University of Mobile unique. As associate vice president for university communications, she manages media relations, edits the TorchLight alumni magazine, and oversees university communications. A former award-winning journalist, she is a two-time recipient of the Baptist Communicators Association grand prize for feature writing. Kathy and her husband, Chuck, live with three extremely loud miniature schnauzers.