Columbia Community Gospel Choir
About
Columbia Community Gospel Choir (CCGC) is a free choral ensemble open to anyone in the community. CCGC strives to provide a sense of fellowship and camaraderie through gospel music, coming together once a year to perform in the Unity Benefit Concert. CCGC began as a guest ensemble in CAAM’s first Unity Concert in 2016, but proved to be so successful in its first year that it has officially joined CAAM as its newest choir.
This year’s Gospel Choir and Unity Concert will look a little different. Instead of our typical concert, we will create a CCGC and CCKG highlights video, premiering the first-ever community-wide virtual choir featuring the call to action anthem “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing.” The highlights video will feature picture and musical highlights from past Unity concerts, recent interviews of singers and musicians, and, of course, the community-wide virtual choir presentation of ‘lift ev’ry voice.”
We want your voice to be heard! Participation is simple and can be done as a soloist or small group. All ages welcome, and open to anyone interested in mid-Missouri or beyond. Instructions to submit are simple and can be found at HERE. Our hope with this project is to unite our community through song, spreading awareness of the long, painful struggle Black individuals have faced and affirming their rightful place in society because CAAM knows Black Lives Matter, too.
The recording will be released in February 2021 to pay tribute to Black History Month.
Artistic Staff
LaMont Walker, Columbia Community Gospel Choir Conductor
This singer, musician, preacher, author, and much more is a native of Kansas City, MO. His parents established him on a foundation rich in the love of God and gospel music. Continuing in his musical heritage, LaMont has learned multiple instruments and perfected his gift of music. He has been blessed to share the stage with artists such as the Kansas City Boys Choir, the Harlem Boys Choir, Richard Smallwood, Dorinda Clark-Cole, and many others! LaMont is a graduate of the Southeast High School (1999) and the University of Missouri-Columbia (B.A. in Music Performance 2005). He celebrates many accomplishments. In 2016, LaMont and Voices of Power and Glory released their first singles “Love Lifted Me” and “He Did It Again,” which were written by LaMont and are available for purchase at all digital stores. Other accomplishments include 1st place victory at the national BSU retreat choir competition, four years directing the LBC gospel choir (MU), founding His Word His Way ministry, and releasing his first book, Internal Pieces. In 1999, LaMont connected to the ministry of Bishop Dr. R.L. Freeman, where he remains submitted and covered. Under Bishop Freeman’s tutelage, LaMont received his ministry license in 2004, ordination as Elder in 2005, and elevation to the position of General Overseer in 2009. He serves as overseer of music and performing arts for his church, United Community Cathedral, and the fellowship, Christians Equipping Christians for Outreach (Presiding Prelate-Bishop Dr. R.L. Freeman and Metropolitan-Bishop Larry D. Trotter). On October 5, 2014, Bishop Freeman appointed LaMont to serve as assistant pastor of United Community Cathedral. On August 29, 2015, LaMont was installed as assistant pastor of UCC. He also volunteers as a mentor for United Community Builders CDC program Weekend With The Boys. Pastor Walker has traveled across America spreading the good news of the Gospel through anointed music, preaching, and teaching. He continues to do so under the leading of the Holy Ghost, praying that all would have a God-experience as a result of his dedication to the Kingdom, serving in the Levitical Order.
Anthony “Tony” Jones, Gospel Choir Drummer
Anthony “Tony” Jones is from Boonville, MO. He received musical training from listening to and watching great musicians from the Kansas City and Columbia area. One of his greatest accomplishments is having the privilege to play alongside great musicians in the Columbia community. He currently attends and plays drums for United Community Cathedral in Columbia, where the pastor is Bishop Dr. R.L. Freeman.
Will Lyons, Gospel Choir Keyboardist
Will Lyons is a native of St. Louis, MO. He began his life as a musician at the age of 10, playing the drums. Four years later, he began playing the piano, and soon after, the organ. He came to the University of Missouri in August 2010 to study music, where he played on the Mizzou Drumline, led Marching Mizzou as a drum major, and was a member of the MU Concert Jazz Band. He is featured on two of the four albums the MU Concert Jazz Band recorded, entitled Tunnel Vision and Hidden Agenda. Will currently serves at United Community Cathedral in Columbia, MO. He has been blessed to link up with Pastor LaMont Walker and Christians Equipping Christians for Outreach (CECO). He thanks God for the anointing that He’s placed on his life, and is willing to continue his work in music ministry.
LaMont Minor, Gospel Choir Keyboardist
LaMont Minor is originally from Kansas City, MO, but currently resides in Columbia, MO. Mr. Minor started playing the piano at age 11, mainly being inclined to play by ear. He has recently taken courses in music theory and has completed coursework at His Instrument Schools of Music with LaMont Walker. He serves as the Music Director for Actors of Faith. LaMont is a faithful member of United Community Cathedral under the leadership of Bishop Dr. R.L. Freeman. He has been blessed to be appointed as Assistant Minister of Music and joyfully teaches music to the children of UCC.