In 1977, in a small university dorm room, in Evansville, IN., a few students, Maxine Underwood, Miranda Taylor, Katrina Askew, Carmen Bonner and Anita Lugo, gathered to share an idea with Cheryl Lawrence, who had come in response to their invitation. Herman and Larry Thomas, members of Grace and students at the university, had invited them to attend Sunday worship services. Cheryl was the music di
rector there, and soon solid relationships were formed, and the invitation was extended. At the small gathering, each of the students spoke in turn of the warmth they felt from the members of Grace’s congregation. They were looking for a way to say thanks and demonstrate their faith and love for God… “Would you to help us to start a choir…so that we can sing our thanks to the people?!” Within a few days, Cheryl said “Yes!”, and asked for the support of then Pastor Walter Wangerin, Jr. In 1978, the choir set out on a weekend tour to test the strength of its faith and its mission. They planned a tour through Illinois and Missouri. They proved themselves able ambassadors; barriers melted before them. “Their youthfulness was winsome, and their kind manner a blessing” said Walt. The Sounds of Grace planned and executed tours all across the country every year from 1979 through 1987. During that time the choir recorded “Sounds of Grace” (1979) and “He’s Worthy” (1984). In 1988, their biggest tour, they went by air to the West Coast of California and drove six mini-vans from Los Angeles to San Francisco. In 1990, the choir recorded “We’ve Come This Far by Faith”. In 1991, after 15 years of spreading the Word and love of God, the Sounds of Grace disbanded with a public concert on May 12th, at Neu Chapel on the University of Evansville campus. “We intend to be happy. It shan’t be as tautly-written as programs in the past or as tightly-rehearsed. Here, in our old age, we shoot for comfort. Ease…and a host of friends to surround us. You.” wrote Walt about the final concert. In 2004, the Sounds of Grace heard the call of the Lord once again and resumed its ministry, recording “Amazing Grace” in 2005.
