"If you attend a concert by Seattle's Total Experience Gospel Choir, be prepared to be more than a spectator. By the end of the evening, this dynamic ensemble will have you singing and clapping whether you planned to join in or not.'' This was the sentiment of "Road Trip America'' which reviewed the group on a recent tour.

The Total Experience Gospel Choir, an outreach ministry of the Oneness Christian Centre in Seattle, Washington began as a gospel music class in a Seattle high school in 1973, and since then has toured the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Bahamas, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Japan, Australia, Germany, Hawaii and Russia.

In its 27 years of performances, the group has received many awards such as the Gold Medal in Sydney Australia for International Music Festival, and The Washington Education Award amongst others.

In 1989 they became the first African-American oriented choir to sing in the Mormon Tabernacle, singing with the famed Mormon Tabernacle Choir in Salt Lake City, Utah.

They have performed in school, prisons, festivals, on street corners as well as radio and television.

This dynamic group was also selected to entertain former US president Bill Clinton during their Seattle tour and to perform for the Inauguration of Washington State Governor-Elect, Gary Locke.

Director and founder of the mixed group of various ages, Pastor Patrinell Wright was recognised with the Washington State Governors Ethnic Heritage Award for helping to preserve Black gospel music in their state.

She was also recognised for the Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award and the Mahalia Jackson Community Service Award.

Part of the group's ministry is to teach anyone who desires to know how to sing and understand African-American gospel music.

In 1997, 1998 and 1999 they trained over 200 Germans in Germany in vocals and music.

That massive choir then travelled to America in 2000 and performed to huge gatherings of gospel lovers.

And 28 members of that group were baptised with the Spirit and as a result of the workshops, there are about 10 gospel choirs in Germany who have developed and are now doing very well.

Total Experience Gospel Choir plan to return to Germany in 2002.

According to Pastor Wright, the group's aim is to be "a Ministry of Love''.

A press statement said the group believes they can do that through their music mission and that others will also be helped.

"Their hope is to learn, to explore, to seek and gain knowledge as well as expose the young members of the group to other cultures as well as share theirs wherever they go.

"They believe that God's hand is in all the universe and that music certainly opens the heart to receive God's Word,'' the statement said.

Bro. Derek Weller of the New Evangel Tabernacle has invited the group to Bermuda to perform in concert on Friday, May 25 starting at 7 p.m. at the Heritage Worship Centre, and Sunday May 27 at 6.15 p.m. at the New Evangel Tabernacle.

While on the Island, they will also carry on two workshops, vocal and music, at the new Evangel Tabernacle, Clarendon Road, Flatts on Saturday, May 26 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, May 27 at 4 p.m.

The price for the workshop will be $5 for children and $10 for adults.

A free will offering will be taken at the concerts.

Tickets for the workshops are available at the Christian Bookstore, Shannons on Queen Street and Computer City on Victoria Street.