Blog Posts
Resounding Love was born in the early months of 2020. When we look at our organization now, we see a family “bound together with cords that cannot be broken” – which has grown in number, in reach, and in depth of relationship. And each week we learn new things, like:
Race-based caucusing creates safety and healing for our members of color, particularly Black members
Our white members are challenging each other to grow in their antiracism practice
People are pretty dang creative when forced to set up home recording studios
You can be both hamstrung and boosted by an all-virtual environment
But how did we get here?
In March 2020, just as the world was beginning to come to terms with the COVID-19 pandemic, cindy called Marshan while on a walk and described a vision that was so compelling it was keeping her up at night. It was a vision of a group of people brought together by a shared love of each other, of music, and of a message of inclusion and hope. It would not reside in a church, but in the community. It would be explicitly and intentionally multiracial, interfaith and open and affirming of LGBTIQ individuals. About 2.7 seconds into this pitch, Marshan was completely on board. He’d had the same dream for years.
Over the following months, we set to work – drafting by-laws and applying for nonprofit status; recruiting members, a strong board and a leadership team; setting up structures and processes for onboarding, rehearsals and conflict resolution; and refining our vision, mission and core values. We adjusted, like everyone else, to the reality of an unprecedented global pandemic. We instituted race-based caucusing as a key lever in our antiracism practice, to promote both Black healing and white activation. We kept checking in with each other, challenging each other in love and honesty, and keeping that vision as our north star. And the choir – and our dreams – grew.
As we look ahead to 2021, we are incredibly excited to put those dreams into action. For example, a talented team is already deep in planning mode for a musical – that underserved high-school students will write, produce, and perform themselves! We are also exploring ways to deepen our antiracism work through workshops, learning sessions and concrete monthly ‘challenges.’ And when the pandemic is over, we’ll be a hybrid of virtual and physical, taking our music and message wherever we can.
Your donation helps make these dreams a reality – please consider making a contribution here before the end of the year. Thank you for your generous support.
With resounding love,
cindy ogasawara, Co-founder, Co-CEO, & President
Marshan Moultry, Co-founder, Co-CEO, & Artistic Director
Videos
Resounding Love: our story
https://youtu.be/e_5LgmH6R2s
Love is Our Default: Spring 2022 Fundraiser
Recordings
On June 16, we provided the pre-game music for a special Juneteenth match of the Reign FC, Seattle’s professional women’s soccer team. In addition to Marshan’s powerful arrangement of Lift Ev’ry Voice, our Associate Artistic Director Shelton Dowd delivered the Star-Spangled Banner in front of a crowd of approximately 8000.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2vqjo72ur8
Resounding Love performing the African American anthem at the Juneteenth Seattle Reign game
Resounding Love’s Associate Artistic Director Shelton Dowd singing the Star Spangled Banner
During the COVID 19 pandemic, the choir couldn’t meet in person, below are the results of our performances recorded in our homes and put together post-production.
Spiritual Medley
Black History 2022: Medley of “Didn’t my Lord Deliver Daniel,” “I Opened my Mouth to the Lord,” and “Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around.” None of us are free until all of us are free.
Vocal arrangement: Marshan Moultry
Musical arrangement: Teddy “Bladde” Harmon
Soloists: Omega Bone, Tony Edwards, Marshan Moultry
Co-CEO & artistic director: Marshan Moultry
Co-CEO & president: cindy ogasawara
Audio engineer: Teddy “Bladde” Harmon
Video engineer: Markdavin Obenza, Scribe Music
ASL interpreter: April Jackson
Vocal coach: Kat Rodriguez
Choir: Resounding Love Interfaith Gospel Choir
Wonderful is Your Name
Pure uplift and praise, featuring tenor Tommy Burton.
Composer: Melvin Crispell
made popular by Hezekiah Walker and his Love Fellowship Crusade Choir
Co-CEO & artistic director: Marshan Moultry
Co-CEO & president: cindy ogasawara
Soloist: Tommy Burton
Audio engineer: Teddy “Bladde” Harmon
Video engineer: Markdavin Obenza, Scribe Music
ASL interpreter: April Jackson
Vocal coach: Kat Rodriguez
Choir: Resounding Love Interfaith Gospel Choir
Joy to the World
Add joy to the holidays – or any day – with the this arrangement made popular by Whitney Houston. Lyrics and melody by Isaac Watts and George Frideric Handel.
Co-CEO & artistic director: Marshan Moultry
Co-CEO & president: cindy ogasawara
Soloists: Kat Rodriguez & Lia Nagase
Audio engineer: Teddy “Bladde” Harmon
Video engineer: Markdavin Obenza, Scribe Music
Choir: Resounding Love Interfaith Gospel Choir
Perfect Praise (How Excellent)
Dedicated to those who risk their health and lives during the COVID-19 pandemic to keep our communities safe and our essential services running.
We see you, and we are grateful.
Composer: Brenda Joyce Moore
Music production: Teddy ‘Bladde’ Harmon
Director: Marshan Moultry
Soloist: Rev. Dr. Kelle J. Brown
Choir: Resounding Love Interfaith Gospel Choir
Audio & video editing: Markdavin Obenza, Scribe Music
Vocal coach & intern: Kat Rodriguez
ASL Interpreter: April Jackson
Waymaker
A call to act: In response to the horrific events in Atlanta in March, Resounding Love Interfaith Gospel Choir presents its newest video, “Waymaker” by Sinach. Let its message compel you to be a waymaker in the struggle against racism and sexism.
Composer: Waymaker words and music by Sinach
Music production: Teddy ‘Bladde’ Harmon
Director: Marshan Moultry
Choir: Resounding Love Interfaith Gospel Choir
Audio & video editing: Markdavin Obenza, Scribe Music
Jesus is My Help
“Jesus is My Help” released in loving memory of Janice Brooks, mother to Co-Founder Marshan Moultry. She passed from this life into the next in November 2020.
It is Well
Our first performance together is this video of “It is Well” by Marshan Moultry. The choir was formed during the COVID-19 pandemic and has never rehearsed in person.
This video and the composition “It is Well” are protected by copyright. Reproduction, broadcasting, and distribution are prohibited without permission.
Video: © 2020 Resounding Love Center for the Arts
“It is Well”: © 1992 Marshan Moultry
