Saints Unified Voices
Encyclopedia
Saints Unified Voices is an American
Gospel music
choir
. The Saints Unified Voices Foundation, the governing organization of the choir, is directed by a 12-member board of directors, which includes Gladys Knight. The SUV Choir’s ability to present firesides outside of Las Vegas is limited as funding for each fireside event comes only through private donations to this nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.
put together a small singing group to perform with her at Women's Conference at Brigham Young University
in Provo, Utah
. Later, Sullivan Richardson asked her to form a choir to perform at a special fireside event back home in Henderson, Nevada
. Vocalists came from as far away as Los Angeles to audition for this special choir. John Fluker, Kelly Eisenhower, Scott Cannady, and Matthew Pittman, professional musicians from Knight's crew at the Flamingo Las Vegas
, volunteered to serve as musicians for the choir.
“Except for a few, these wonderful people had never sung gospel music before,” says Gladys. They were also not accustomed to singing without sheet music. Given only the words to the hymns typed in paragraph form, the choir learned to sing the songs by following Gladys. “All they get is the lyrics because I don’t want anybody reading notes on paper. They have to feel this music,” says Gladys.
After three months of Saturday rehearsals, the choir's first performance was in August 2002. The performance was very well received, and Gladys held more auditions to raise the choir's performing level and commitment. Eventually she choose 100 culturally diverse voices. All are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. By the end of the year, the choir performed at four stake centers near Las Vegas, one at Deseret Book
’s Time Out for Women in Las Vegas and another one in Phoenix, and at the Salt Lake Tabernacle
on Temple Square
.
In 2003, the choir was invited to perform at Salt Lake Tabernacle
on Temple Square
as part of the anniversary celebration of the priesthood being available
to all worthy men.
's #1 on the Hot Shot Debut, while it simultaneously shot to the #1 Gospel Album and #2 Inspirational Album on iTunes. It remained in the top-40 on Billboard's Gospel charts for 48 weeks.
Track Listings
Track Listings
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Gospel music
Gospel music
Gospel music is music that is written to express either personal, spiritual or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music....
choir
Choir
A choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus...
. The Saints Unified Voices Foundation, the governing organization of the choir, is directed by a 12-member board of directors, which includes Gladys Knight. The SUV Choir’s ability to present firesides outside of Las Vegas is limited as funding for each fireside event comes only through private donations to this nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.
Early years
In 2002, Gladys KnightGladys Knight
Gladys Maria Knight , known as the "Empress of Soul", is an American singer-songwriter, actress, businesswoman, humanitarian, and author...
put together a small singing group to perform with her at Women's Conference at Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University is a private university located in Provo, Utah. It is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , and is the United States' largest religious university and third-largest private university.Approximately 98% of the university's 34,000 students...
in Provo, Utah
Provo, Utah
Provo is the third largest city in the U.S. state of Utah, located about south of Salt Lake City along the Wasatch Front. Provo is the county seat of Utah County and lies between the cities of Orem to the north and Springville to the south...
. Later, Sullivan Richardson asked her to form a choir to perform at a special fireside event back home in Henderson, Nevada
Henderson, Nevada
-Demographics:According to the 2000 census, there were 175,381 people, 66,331 households, and 47,095 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,200.8 people per square mile . There were 71,149 housing units at an average density of 892.8 per square mile...
. Vocalists came from as far away as Los Angeles to audition for this special choir. John Fluker, Kelly Eisenhower, Scott Cannady, and Matthew Pittman, professional musicians from Knight's crew at the Flamingo Las Vegas
Flamingo Las Vegas
The Flamingo Las Vegas is a hotel casino located on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada and is owned and operated by Caesars Entertainment Corp.. The property offers a casino along with 3,626 hotel rooms...
, volunteered to serve as musicians for the choir.
“Except for a few, these wonderful people had never sung gospel music before,” says Gladys. They were also not accustomed to singing without sheet music. Given only the words to the hymns typed in paragraph form, the choir learned to sing the songs by following Gladys. “All they get is the lyrics because I don’t want anybody reading notes on paper. They have to feel this music,” says Gladys.
After three months of Saturday rehearsals, the choir's first performance was in August 2002. The performance was very well received, and Gladys held more auditions to raise the choir's performing level and commitment. Eventually she choose 100 culturally diverse voices. All are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. By the end of the year, the choir performed at four stake centers near Las Vegas, one at Deseret Book
Deseret Book
Deseret Book is the largest Latter-day Saint book publisher and also owns a chain of LDS bookstores in the western United States. Over 150 people work in its Salt Lake City headquarters...
’s Time Out for Women in Las Vegas and another one in Phoenix, and at the Salt Lake Tabernacle
Salt Lake Tabernacle
The Salt Lake Tabernacle, also known as the Mormon Tabernacle, is located on Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah along with the Salt Lake Assembly Hall and Salt Lake Temple.-History:...
on Temple Square
Temple Square
Temple Square is a ten acre complex located in the center of Salt Lake City, Utah, owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . In recent years, the usage of the name has gradually changed to include several other church facilities immediately adjacent to Temple Square...
.
In 2003, the choir was invited to perform at Salt Lake Tabernacle
Salt Lake Tabernacle
The Salt Lake Tabernacle, also known as the Mormon Tabernacle, is located on Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah along with the Salt Lake Assembly Hall and Salt Lake Temple.-History:...
on Temple Square
Temple Square
Temple Square is a ten acre complex located in the center of Salt Lake City, Utah, owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . In recent years, the usage of the name has gradually changed to include several other church facilities immediately adjacent to Temple Square...
as part of the anniversary celebration of the priesthood being available
1978 Revelation on Priesthood
The 1978 Revelation on Priesthood was a revelation to the leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints which reversed a long-standing policy excluding men of black African descent from the priesthood.-Background:...
to all worthy men.
One Voice
The choir released a CD, One Voice, on January 4, 2005. In the first week, the album soared to BillboardBillboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
's #1 on the Hot Shot Debut, while it simultaneously shot to the #1 Gospel Album and #2 Inspirational Album on iTunes. It remained in the top-40 on Billboard's Gospel charts for 48 weeks.
Track Listings
- One Voice (Interlude) - Gladys KnightGladys KnightGladys Maria Knight , known as the "Empress of Soul", is an American singer-songwriter, actress, businesswoman, humanitarian, and author...
, written by Matthew Pittman - Over My Head - Gladys Knight
- Come, Come, Ye SaintsCome, Come, Ye Saints"Come, Come, Ye Saints" is one of the best-known Latter-day Saint hymns. The lyrics were written in 1846 by Mormon poet William Clayton...
- Gladys Knight, written by William Clayton - Love One Another - Gladys Knight, written by Luacine Clark Fox
- Pass Me NotPass Me Not, O Gentle Saviour"Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior" is a 19th-century American hymn written by Francis J. Crosby in 1868 and William H. Doane in 1870 . The hymn has been recorded by number of artists, including Reggie Houston, Cyrus Chestnut, Bill Gaither, and Lyle Lovett...
- Gladys Knight - Right Here Waiting - (Damon Andellin and JJ Johnigan) written by BeBe WinansBeBe WinansBenjamin "BeBe" Winans is a gospel and R&B singer. He is a member of the noted Winans family, most members of which are also gospel artists.-The PTL Club:...
- Prayer - Gladys Knight, written by Mauli B
- Did You Know - Gladys Knight and John Fluker, written by BeBe WinansBeBe WinansBenjamin "BeBe" Winans is a gospel and R&B singer. He is a member of the noted Winans family, most members of which are also gospel artists.-The PTL Club:...
- I Am a Child of GodI Am a Child of God"I Am a Child of God" is a Latter-day Saint hymn and song for children. The lyrics were written in 1957 by Naomi W. Randall and have been translated into over 90 languages...
- Gladys Knight, written by Naomi W. RandallNaomi W. RandallNaomi Harriet Ward Randall was a Latter-day Saint songwriter and author and a leader in the Primary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints... - Jesu Me Kanaka Waiwai - (Joe Apo soloist)
- Blessed AssuranceBlessed Assurance"Blessed Assurance" is a well-known Christian hymn. The lyrics were written in 1873 by blind hymn writer Fanny J. Crosby to the music written in 1873 by Phoebe P. Knapp.-History:...
- Gladys Knight - He Shines on Me - (Kelly Eisenhour soloist), written by John Fluker and Kelly Eisenhour
- Uphold Me - (Whitney Te'o soloist) written by Fred Manns
- He's Worthy - (John Fluker soloist)
- He Lives - Gladys Knight
A Christmas Celebration
The 100-voice choir released its second album A Christmas Celebration in October 2006.Track Listings
- Introduction/Opening - Gladys KnightGladys KnightGladys Maria Knight , known as the "Empress of Soul", is an American singer-songwriter, actress, businesswoman, humanitarian, and author...
- Breath of Heaven - (Kenya Jackson soloist), written by Chris Eaton
- Silent NightSilent Night"Silent Night" is a popular Christmas carol. The original lyrics of the song "Stille Nacht" were written in Oberndorf bei Salzburg, Austria, by the priest Father Joseph Mohr and the melody was composed by the Austrian headmaster Franz Xaver Gruber...
/O Holy NightO Holy Night"O Holy Night" is a well-known Christmas carol composed by Adolphe Adam in 1847 to the French poem "Minuit, chrétiens" by Placide Cappeau , a wine merchant and poet, who had been asked by a parish priest to write a Christmas poem...
- Gladys Knight, written by Joseph Mohr - I Wonder as I WanderI Wonder As I Wander"I Wonder as I Wander" is a Christmas carol written by John Jacob Niles. The carol has its origins in a song fragment collected on July 16, 1933 by folklorist and singer John Jacob Niles....
- (Heather Goedel soloist), written by John Jacob NilesJohn Jacob NilesJohn Jacob Niles was an American composer, singer, and collector of traditional ballads. Called the "Dean of American Balladeers", Niles was an important influence on the American folk music revival of the 1950s and 1960s, with Joan Baez, Burl Ives, and Peter, Paul and Mary, among others,... - We Three KingsWe Three Kings"We Three Kings", also known as "We Three Kings of Orient Are" or "The Quest of the Magi", is a Christmas carol written by the Reverend John Henry Hopkins, Jr., who wrote both the lyrics and the music. It is suggested to have been written in 1857 but did not appear in print until his Carols, Hymns...
- (Jay Young soloist), written by John H. Hopkins, Jr - Little Drummer BoyLittle Drummer Boy"The Little Drummer Boy," originally known as "Carol of the Drum," is a popular Christmas song written by the American classical music composer/teacher Katherine Kennicott Davis in 1941. It was recorded 1955 by the Trapp Family Singers and further popularized by a 1958 recording by the Harry...
- Gladys Knight, written by Katherine Davis - Oh, Come, All Ye FaithfulAdeste Fideles"Adeste Fideles" is a hymn tune attributed to English hymnist John Francis Wade . The text itself has unclear beginnings, and may have been written in the 13th century by John of Reading, though it has been concluded that Wade was probably the author.The original four verses of the hymn were...
- Gladys Knight, written by John Francis WadeJohn Francis WadeJohn Francis Wade was an English hymnist who is credited with writing and composing the hymn "Adeste Fideles" .... - Jesus, Oh, What a Wonderful Child - Gladys Knight,
- The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)The Christmas Song"The Christmas Song" is a classic Christmas song written in 1944 by musician, composer, and vocalist Mel Tormé and Bob Wells. According to Tormé, the song was written during a blistering hot summer...
- (Whitney Te'o soloist), written by Mel TormeMel TorméMelvin Howard Tormé , nicknamed The Velvet Fog, was an American musician, known for his jazz singing. He was also a jazz composer and arranger, a drummer, an actor in radio, film, and television, and the author of five books... - White ChristmasWhite Christmas (song)"White Christmas" is an Irving Berlin song reminiscing about an old-fashioned Christmas setting. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the version sung by Bing Crosby is the best-selling single of all time, with estimated sales in excess of 50 million copies worldwide.Accounts vary as...
- Gladys Knight, written by Irving BerlinIrving BerlinIrving Berlin was an American composer and lyricist of Jewish heritage, widely considered one of the greatest songwriters in American history.His first hit song, "Alexander's Ragtime Band", became world famous... - Winter WonderlandWinter Wonderland"Winter Wonderland" is a winter song, popularly treated as a Christmastime pop standard, written in 1934 by Felix Bernard and Richard B. Smith . Through the decades it has been recorded by over 150 different artists.-History:...
/Jingle BellsJingle Bells"Jingle Bells" is one of the best-known and commonly sung winter songs in the world. It was written by James Lord Pierpont and published under the title "One Horse Open Sleigh" in the autumn of 1857...
- Gladys Knight, written by Richard B. Smith - The Lord's Prayer - (Damon Andelin soloist)