Joyful Noise: A Gospel Christmas featuring Salem Concert Choir

joyful noise A Gospel Christmas

FEAT U R I NG

Salem Concert Choir December 4 | 7:30 PM December 5 | 4:00 PM Holland Center

From the President What a joy it is to welcome Joyful Noise: A Gospel Christmas back to the Holland Performing Arts Center!

This marks the eighth year that the nationally recognized Salem Concert Choir has brought this special production to the stage, and it’s become one of my favorite holiday traditions. I think it’s the perfect way to immerse yourself in the spirit of the season.

Although we presented the performance virtually last year, it’s just not the same as experiencing the joy of the season with this incredible music in-person and together in the Holland Center.

In Joyful Noise, you can expect a combination of both holiday classics and newer music. In addition to the amazing choir, you’ll enjoy special guest artists, lots of choreography and outstanding soloists.

We are grateful for our ongoing partnership with Salem Baptist Church. Choir members appear regularly in other O-pa presentations, and work with us year-round beyond the stage in our education and community engagement programs.

On behalf of O-pa, I’d like to thank Pastor Bachus and Ananias “Markey” Montague for their leadership and support. My special thanks also to all Salem Baptist Church participants, volunteers and congregation members.

I hope you enjoy the joyous harmonies of the holiday and that in this time together you’ll find the heartbeat of the season.

Happy Holidays,

Joan H. Squires President Omaha Performing Arts

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From Pastor Bachus On behalf of Salem Baptist Church, Omaha, I welcome you to the 8th annual production of Joyful Noise: A Gospel Christmas Celebration. Salem’s Music and Fine Arts Ministry is excited to have the opportunity to present to you the expertly choreographed dance and the dynamic music you’ll experience in tonight’s production.

Salem has a rich musical history dating back over 50 years. We’re honored to highlight the lineage of gospel music from the voices of our mass choir. We’re also especially grateful for our special guests who will lend their voices in praise.

Salem appreciates the opportunity afforded to us by President Joan Squires. We thank the Omaha Performing Arts team for their support in making Joyful Noise a success. We anxiously wait for this event year after year.

I invite you to join us at Salem Church. Salem is a diverse congregation of people from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. Wherever you are on your journey of life, we welcome you to stop by and visit one of our weekly church services. The Salem family would like you to know that our doors are open to all because we believe that “The Best Season of Your Life is Just Ahead.” We hope that you will enjoy tonight’s production.

Peace and Blessings!

Rev. Dr. Selwyn Q. Bachus Senior Pastor

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Guest Performers

Ananias Montague

Ananias “Markey” Montague was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. He has worked with Richard Smallwood, Ricky Dillard, Kim McFarland, Lyle Lovett and many others. He has also toured Europe spreading the Gospel through song.

Montague is currently working on a dual bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Biblical Studies. His motto is “Be authentic in everything.”

Montague is the Minister of Music and Fine Arts at Salem Baptist Church.

Dreion

Brandon Gaines is making his mark as a unique voice in the Kingdom. His passion for music has led him to platforms such as BET Sunday Best Season 7 as a finalist. He’s performed with gospel legends like Pastor Donnie McClurkin, Pastor John P. Kee and Fred Hammond.

In July 2021, Brandon completed his first live recording in Nashville, Tennessee, with a highly anticipated release date to be announced. His journey is one he hopes will inspire and encourage many as he brings God glory through all he does.

Dara Hogan

Dreion is a singer-songwriter, musician, producer and performing artist from Omaha. He is an alumnus of Berklee College of Music with a bachelor's in songwriting and minor in Africana Studies. He’s also a husband and father.

Dara Hogan is an actress and singer currently based in Omaha. She attended Syracuse University where she studied journalism and worked for a number of years as a television news reporter, producer and videographer for NBC, ABC and CBS affiliates.

Dreion is a survivor of the foster care system and an avid advocate for foster care reform. In 2020, original music from Dreion’s debut EP “I AM LIFE" was featured in the film “Foster Boy” produced by Shaquille O’Neal to shed light on the struggles and challenges foster youth face every day.

Dara shifted her focus to the stage in 2018 and has appeared in THE BUBBLY BLACK GIRL: SHEDS HER CHAMELEON SKIN (Union for Contemporary Art), RAGTIME and AIN'T MISBEHAVIN' (Omaha Community Playhouse) and RED SUMMER (Bluebarn Theatre).

Dreion’s music is a combination of gospel, soul, funk and R&B. In 2019, he was awarded “Performer of The Year” by the Berklee Urban Service Awards. He’s had the privilege of performing at many prestigious venues and events including the Boston Boy and Girls Club Annual Charity Gala, the College World Series, Gillette Stadium and the legendary Grand Ole Opry.

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Brandon Gaines

When she is not on-stage, Dara continues her work in the Omaha arts community as the communications specialist for Omaha Performing Arts. In 2022 she returns to the Omaha Community Playhouse stage in The Color Purple and Bluebarn Theatre stage in Buffalo Women: A Black Cowgirl Musical.

The Kingsmen

Amazing ensemble and audience favorites, The Kingsmen, return to the stage this year with their smooth tenor melodies. The group features Justin Payne of Omaha, Mitchel Ford of Cahokia, Illinois, and Larry Westbrook of East Moline, Illinois.

Their electrifying vocal talents blend perfectly to create a sound all their own that ushers in the holiday spirit and inspires us all to worship the Lord as we celebrate His birth. As each singer is a vocal powerhouse in his own right, this dynamic trio has built a special brotherhood allowing them to collectively and individually display their unique powerhouse voices.

Sean Keith

Sean Keith was born and raised in Southern California. At 17 his family moved to the Midwest where he has spent most of his life. In 1996, he earned his Bachelor of Music degree from Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee.

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Sean has a heart to see worship leaders raised up within the local church and is committed to helping churches build teams. He is a teacher and developer.

He and his wife, Lisa, have four kids. He is currently lives in Omaha where he is the Executive Pastor of Weekend Experience.

Chad Stoner

Saxophonist Chad Stoner has been lifting and inspiring audiences for three decades. Chad’s musical “voice” is a soulful, powerful, beautiful expression of his gospel, R&B, jazz and world influences.

An Omaha native, Chad has been a perennial favorite at Jazz On The Green, The Omaha Riverfront Jazz & Blues Festival, The Omaha Blues, Jazz and Gospel Festival, the Breckenridge Jazz Festival and The LOVAM Music & Arts Festival. Chad's debut recording “I Know It's You” was enthusiastically received and continues to reach new audiences. Additionally, dozens of recording projects include Chad's unmistakable voice as a soloist or featured artist.

Elaine Stoner

Vocalist and instrumentalist Elaine Stoner has been a beloved performer for most of her life. She grew up in Papillion and graduated from Monarch High School where she and her husband Chad met in the band room. Those lovebird bandies have now been married for 30 years.

Performing professionally for over 20 years, Elaine is a crowd favorite on concert, festival and club stages and has been a featured vocalist on many recording projects. The most-often heard response to Elaine’s performance is that she has “the voice of and angel.”

She’s the accompanist at Papillion Middle School and a private piano instructor. Elaine says her husband, four children, daughter-in-law and granddaughter are her greatest blessings.

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A Gospel Christmas: King

joyful noise

DECEMBER 4-5, 2021 | HOLLAND CENTER

Welcome........................................Serese Cole & Senior Pastor Selwyn Q. Bachus Overture.........................................................................................................................Band It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas........................................... Dara Hogan Gift That Keeps On Giving........................................... Dara Hogan & The Ensemble Let It Snow.................................................................................................. The Kingsmen Give Love On Christmas Day.....................................................................Chad Stoner The Little Drummer Boy.......................................................................................... Dreion This Christmas.......................................................................................................... Dreion Sleigh Ride....................................................................................................... Dara Hogan Oh Come Divine Messiah.....................................Brandon Gaines & The Ensemble Oh Come All Ye Faithful..............................................Elaine Stoner & The Ensemble Oh Holy Night.................................................................... Sean Keith & The Ensemble King...........................................................Brandon Gaines, The Ensemble & C.L.I.N.J. Intermission Behold Christ The Lord.... Ananias Montague, Ocie Jackson & Salem Mass Choir We’ve Come To Worship You...............Salem Mass Choir & Spirits In Movement Joy To The World........................................................Jennifer Kelley & The Ensemble Hallelujah Forevermore..................................................................... Salem Mass Choir Your Name........................................ Fantashia Gates-Colbert & Salem Mass Choir King Of Glory.............................................................................................. The Kingsmen Lift The Savior Up............................................................................... Salem Mass Choir Lift Up Jesus...........................................Salem Mass Choir & Expressions of Praise Lifted Up...........................................................Salem Mass Choir & Shouts of Praise

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Cast LEADERSHIP Rev. Dr. Selwyn Q. Bachus Ananias Montague, Executive Producer Lonnie Michael, Jr., Producer and Show Runner

SALEM MUSIC & FINE ARTS COUNCIL Braymond Adams Linda Breakfield Vernon Breakfield Jazmon Breakfield James O. Brewer Dani Cleveland Sandra Foster Dominique L. Johnson Shawntal Mallory Lisa Medley Lonnie Michael Jr. Ananias Montague, Minister of Music

DANCERS BY SONG King C.L.I.N.J.: Jazmon Breakfield, Frances Lewis, Lisa Medley, Juanisha Smith, Dori Stanfield, Shirleena Terrell Choreographers: Jazmon Breakfield, Lisa Medley and Dori Stanfield We’ve Come to Worship You Spirits in Movement: Jazmon Breakfield, Tiffany Devereaux, Melva Gonzales, Kisha House, Anna Kellogg, Frances Lewis, Brittany McNair, Lisa Medley, Alexan Short, Juanisha Smith, Dori Stanfield, Perrin Stewart Choreographers: Lisa Medley and Dori Stanfield Lift Up Jesus Expressions of Praise: Gabbriele Foxx, Anye’ Francisco, Asha Francisco, Dae Johnson, Hannah Khama, Aniya Montague Choreographers: Lisa Medley and Juanisha Smith

Lifted Up Shouts of Praise: Justyce Cribbs, Savannah Devereaux, Iraiyah McCowan, Artie Shaw, Neeya Williams, Ceairra Wood Choreographers: Lisa Medley and Shirleena Terrell

MASS CHOIR Darniece Amos Tamara M. Bailey Shiloh Baines Treasure Ballard Renee Brady Linda Breakfield, Assistant Director Otto Burton Carolyne Devereaux-Cordell Patti Duncan Sarah Hillman Marion Lloyd Terrie Jackson Miller Duane D. Jenkins E. Dionne Kirksey Gwendolyn Brown-Lewis Shawntal Mallory Sherri L. Marks Michelle McCain G. Kaynette McNair Beatrice Morrow Doris Morrow Kathryne Murphy Carol J. Prince Sharon Reed Milton Scurlock, Sr. Nicole Williams

ENSEMBLE Linda Breakfield Jarron Devereaux Fantashia Gates-Colbert Ocie Jackson Eric Jordan Jennifer Kelley Trini Lopez Massie, Vocal Trainer Paris Taylor Raquel Taylor

CREW TEAM Vernon Breakfield, Lighting Director Christopher Coleman, Camera Operator Ron Coleman, Video Production Director, C4 Photography Michael Davis, Production Team Julius Madison, Camera Operator Jerry Riggs, Salem Production Manager Kenneth Stanfield, Assistant Lighting Director

BAND Cristin Brenham, Organ / Auxiliary Keys Kyle Kelley, Musical Director / Piano and Programming Kenneth “Kaybass” Diggs, Bass Al Meeks, Jr., Keyboards Jonathan Sanders, Drums Jacob Sorenson, Programming

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Salem Baptist Church Rev. Dr. Selwyn Q. Bachus Senior Pastor 3131 Lake Street Omaha, NE 68111 402.455.1000 Temporary service schedule due to COVID: Sunday services - 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM Services streamed live from the Salem Facebook page, Boxcast and Salem’s website at salembc.org.

Check Salem website for virtual Life Development Sunday School and Wednesday Word & Worship Bible Study offerings.

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Mission Statement The Salem Baptist Church is transforming lives by Exalting the Savior, Evangelizing the Lost, Equipping the Saints and Expanding the Kingdom of God.

Vision Thousands of transformed believers unashamedly and vibrantly worshiping the Lord Jesus and witnessing of our relationship with Him. Living as Holy Spirit empowered Disciples of Jesus Christ, actively walking our faith, enthusiastically working for the Kingdom of our Lord. Widening the church’s impact on the world through stewardship of our entire lives and developing faithful and effective Christian leaders.

Values • Word-centered and Spirit-led • Dependent on Prayer • Creating an Atmosphere of Love, Compassion and Care • Integrity and Accountability in Stewardship • Progressive Ministries with a Spirit of Excellence and Leadership • Preparing Christian Leaders in Every Walk of Life • Social Awareness and Responsibility

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ensuring safety O-pa has implemented a number of precautions to provide the best performing arts experience.

Learn more at o-pa.org/covid

Masks Required 10

Enhanced cleaning and sanitation

Virus filtering heating and cooling

Staff and patron precautions

Touchless experience

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