Detroit has a long and rich history of gospel music — many of the great writers, musicians and singers of this art form are from here. The Deep River Choir, housed at the Boll Family YMCA, carries on this amazing tradition.
Choir director Bobbi Thompson says they do blues, some contemporary gospel, and pop songs that lend themselves to a choral presentation like the Doobie Brothers’ “Takin’ It To The Streets” and Stevie Wonder’s “Heaven Help Us”. They also sing a lot of traditional spirituals, reflecting the city’s role as a home for many people who came from the South to work at auto plants. “The central theme is of people facing some issue and trying to do better,” she says. “The theme is ‘how can we keep from singing’– it’s been a struggle but we’re moving forward.”
Telling stories through music is a very accessible way to tell the stories of a culture and make what could seem irrelevant very personal, which is what they do when they sing at community events. “It’s so much easier with music to sit down and teach a history lesson,” Bobbie says. “You find you not only understand, but can feel the emotion that person was going through.”
The choir is a very diverse group of about 35 people from all over the Metro area and at all levels of singing ability and experience. They rehearse every Tuesday and Thursday at the Boll and perform all over the Metro area. Coming up, they have a concert on Sunday, Sept. 22 at the Family Of Faith Church at 412 Piquette in Detroit and will be performing at the exhibit opening of Hands Across Detroit at the Swords into Plowshares Gallery on Sept. 28. They also do Noel Night and MLK Day celebrations every year.
The are not large in number but strong in voice and spirit. Bobbi says they often surprise people by what they are able to evoke with their voices together. “We don’t look like we sound,” she says. “It does pay homage to the spirit of Detroit and the commitment the Y has to the community. We continue to move forward in ways that mean I am always surprised.”
There are no auditions to join the choir, just the willingness to learn. Bobbi has been directing choirs since she started with her college choir at age 18 and says she can help anyone sound good. She also serves on the music staff at Central United Methodist Church, directs the Hannan House Choir, and has put out two CDs.
“We are a family that develops out of the love of music,” Bobbi says. “We’re all passionate about having music done well and at the same time not losing the joy. We want it to be a wonderful offering and want to have fun doing it.”