Domesha Perkins goes to EIU Unity Gospel Choir rehearsal to get her spirits lifted and because she loves gospel music.

“I wake up to gospel music and go to sleep to it,” the junior communication studies major said.

Gospel music keeps Perkins’ day going, and she said the EIU Unity Gospel Choir’s job is to bring people close to Christ.

EIU Unity Gospel Choir is an organization that sings once a month at Wesley United Methodist Church in Mattoon. The choir sings gospel music and forms fellowships with others through Christ.

“EIU Unity Gospel Choir is all about unity,” Perkins said.

She said members of the choir are leaders on and off campus.

Unity makes themselves known around campus by posting flyers and also by word of mouth.

The organization is involved in activities such as African American Heritage Week and the Martin Luther King Jr. celebration.

Unity will also host a winter concert at the Wesley United Methodist Church or the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union.

Unity hosts workshops and invites other choirs from different colleges such as Western Illinois University and Northern Illinois University to join them.

Belinda Carr, adviser for Echoes of Grace gospel choir at Western Illinois University said they appreciate Unity’s participation.

She said there is a good blend when these choirs come together and it gives them a better-quality experience.

Perkins, who is now treasurer for the Unity executive board, admits having an attitude problem when approached about joining Unity.

Rhonda Bowdry, co-president for the executive board, and Jenine Borum, who was vice president at the time, were passing out flyers for Unity and Perkins decided to attend a choir rehearsal.

Borum, who died May 8, 2006, was a very spiritual, and dedicated member of Unity, said Bowdry.

“She had a very serious relationship with God,” she said.

Ever since Perkins attended a rehearsal, she was inspired and has been a member for three years.

“EIU Unity is all about Unity”, said Perkins.

Kenneth Phiffer, co-president of the executive board for Unity, said he fell in love with the choir.

“I do not sing back at home because of the lack of support from others, but at Unity, they make you feel comfortable, he said.

If Phiffer sings out of key, the other members encourage him to continue to sing, instead of putting him down.

Perkins said anyone is welcome to join Unity. The choir currently has 25-30 members.

“We may not be great in numbers, but in unity and spirit we are,” Perkins said.