Gospel Traditions: Make a Joyful 
Noise
Join in the singing with Iowa gospel groups Psalms and the Matney Sisters! You'll
be treated to the inspiring music of two gospel singing styles as well as talk
and tips about harmony singing during this two-hour performance and workshop program.
Both groups were featured at the Smithsonian’s Festival of American Folklife in 1996 and the Iowa Folklife Festival and have cuts on the Smithsonian Folkways recording, Iowa State Fare. Selections can be sampled at: www.folkways.si.edu/40083.htm.
Availability: weekday evenings, Saturday days and evenings, nothing on Sundays
Fees to Artists (plus travel): $2,250 - $2,475
Participants: 10-11
Bios of Key Participants:
Psalms
is a six- to seven-member, family-based, African-American gospel quartet group
from Cedar Rapids. They perform traditional gospel for family reunions, festivals,
benefits and every week in church. The group includes Michael Cole, Sandy Reed,
Alan Bell, Sharilyn Bell and Paul Tillman as well as Patrick Beets (piano) and
Brent Jenkins (drums). The parents of several in the group sang in the renowned
Zionettes.
The Matney Sisters are a vocal quartet specializing in country and gospel music. Sisters Pam Ostapoff, Shelly Bell, Jaimee Haugen and Chris Ramsey grew up in Sioux City, Iowa, and have been singing together since they were children under the tutelage of their father, Harley Matney, who still accompanies them on harmonica and guitar. All but one of the group still live in the Siouxland area, where they gather to sing and perform. Their trademark is tight, a capella harmony singing, which you can sample at http://members.aol.com/matneysing.
