About OHF Gospel Choirs

Welcome to the One Human Family Gospel Choir

This website represents the Canadian chapter choirs found in British Columbia as well as the great work of those friends and supporters of the greater OHF community.

Our History/Who We Are

One Human Family Gospel Choir (OHF) is a multi-faith, multi-cultural organization founded on the principle that there is only one race – the human race, and one family, the human family.

Founded in 1998, the One Human Family (OHF) is an organization that began in North Carolina by Eric Dozier, Cara Williams and Dilsey Davis, asserting that the arts have the ability to break all chains, release all yolks, and cross all barriers, fusing all hearts into one.  Gospel music and spirituals in particular possess a unifying spirit with the ability to change the world and illuminate it.  OHF acknowledges music in general as being a viable vehicle to energize people and give birth to new expressions of community.  Music has a way of reaching deep into the hearts and minds of all people.  OHF has specifically selected African American spirituals and gospel music as the genre to convey its message because historically, this music has always inspired hope and peace for the future.  Recently, Eric has included songs of soul that convey messages of peace & love.

Eric brought OHF to Vancouver and Vancouver Island in 2006. We’re so glad he did!

Rehearsals

Rehearsals are scheduled twice monthly on Saturday on Vancouver Island and Sunday in Vancouver (see Chapter choir pages at right for more details.)

All choirs start rehearsal on time. Bring plenty of water to drink & nourishment for break time.

We ask that members try to attend every rehearsal. Singing at every performance is optional, however we are a performance choir and hope you will join us when able.

Fees

Fees are $20 per rehearsal payable as a Season Fee or at each rehearsal by arrangement.

Bursaries

We understand that some people who would like to sing with the choir may find it a hardship to pay our
season’s fee.

Individuals and students on Vancouver Island who are unable to pay the full member fees can apply for a bursary by applying in writing (email) to Joyce.Tobo@gmail.com

Individuals and students on the mainland who are unable to pay the full member fees can apply for a bursary by applying in writing (email) to Kymn at  ohfvancouver@gmail.com

If you would like to contribute to a Bursary Fund please speak with Sylvia Wende or email her at  swende@shaw.ca.

Bursary and hardship requests will be re-evaluated each session.

There is no charge for the first visit for newcomers.

Singers Resources

* Singers see page at right for all of our resources.

NOTE: Choir members are encouraged to take one of the 2 workshops on Vancouver Island in the busy month of February as we will be learning new songs (see workshop posters at right for more info.)

Performance Movement & Attire

The optimal way for us to look like a choir is to have some uniformity, both in movement and attire. When Eric gives us the sign to move, we all start at the same time, on the same foot, and keep going in the same direction. If you’re not sure which way that is, follow the designated person. This is true for rehearsals as well as performances. We ask that you wear black pants/skirt and a black top (not gray). For summer performances, a white top (not beige) with black bottoms, and black shoes as well. We now own beautiful coloured silk scarves to brighten it all up. Please be mindful of people with allergies to perfumes and abstain from them whenever we sing together, especially when we wear the scarves.

Your Management Teams

This is a choir-run choir! We are all volunteers!

There are times when we may need extra help & hope you’ll come forward.

If you have any suggestions, or ideas for performance venues, we invite you to bring them to a rehearsal to discuss at break, or email us! We’ll also advise members by email of performances on both the mainland and Vancouver Island  both of which you are welcome to perform at.

* See chapter pages at right for specific management team info.

Newsletters

We send out periodic newsletters by email to advise members of important information concerning performances and rehearsals.  Be sure you have filled out an information sheet with your email address and phone number or sign up for newsetters on your chapter page at right by emailing the management team with your contact information.