A Choral Oasis: Healing Concert | AfterGlow Chorus Oakland
- AfterGlow Chorus
- Jul 31
- 3 min read
An invitation for caregivers, seekers, and music lovers across the East Bay looking for rest, connection, and restorative harmony in Oakland.
When life feels heavy, what carries us through is the extraordinary power of love, human connection, and the transcendent beauty of live music.
This August, AfterGlow Chorus invites you to step inside the breathtaking acoustics of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Oakland for "The Gift of Love": Music for Healing & Loss—a concert experience created to meet you right where you are and take you on a profound, emotionally uplifting journey.
This special program was built specifically to offer solace to caregivers and bring comfort to those navigating loss or heavy seasons. But it doesn't leave you in quiet reflection. Through the immense acoustic power of live human voices, this gorgeous music restores the spirit and lifts you into radiant joy in a way only an auditioned a cappella choir can. It is an afternoon designed not just to entertain, but to deeply uplift San Francisco Bay Area audiences and remind us of the enduring strength that carries us through.
Inside the Experience: Solace, Strength, and Joy
Our director and singers have carefully constructed this program as a continuous journey designed to fill the historic sanctuary of St. Paul's with light, deep feeling, and soaring energy:
Solace (Meditative Grace): We open in spaces of quiet beauty, inviting you to simply breathe through the modal perfection of Maurice Duruflé’s "Ubi Caritas" and the towering, close-harmony walls of sound in Thomas LaVoy’s "Alleluia."
Strength (Raw, Soul-Stirring Resilience): This chapter gives voice to the endurance that carries us through life's challenging moments. Our a cappella choir channels this resilient power through historic African American spirituals, featuring Ysayë Barnwell’s moving "Wanna Die Easy When I Die" alongside Stacey Gibbs’ driving, rhythmic arrangement of "Wade in the Water."
Joy (High-Energy Gospel & Soul): The performance closes with roof-raising warmth—featuring the triumphant gospel power of Richard Smallwood’s "Healing" and the soulful comfort of Sam Cooke classics to elevate and renew our collective spirit.
"The warmth and pure beauty of their voices brought me to tears, then had me on my feet. Truly one of the most moving, soul-filling live performances I’ve ever experienced."— AfterGlow Concert Attendee
Plan Your Afternoon in Oakland
Nestled near Lake Merritt, the soaring stone arches and magnificent acoustics of St. Paul's Episcopal Church create the ideal sanctuary for this musical experience. With only two performances on the calendar, seating inside the sanctuary will fill as performance dates approach. Set aside an afternoon to recharge your spirit and experience the transformative power of choral song in the East Bay.
Select your preferred performance date below to join us:
P.S. Do you know someone who could use a lift right now? Consider sharing an afternoon of comfort, music, and joy with a caregiver, a loved one, or anyone navigating a heavy season.
Concert Schedule & Venue Details
Performance 1 (Opening Afternoon): Sunday, August 9, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Performance 2 (Final Performance): Sunday, August 16, 2026 at 4:00 PM
The Venue: St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 114 Montecito Ave, Oakland, CA 94610 (Located in the Adams Point neighborhood near Lake Merritt, conveniently accessible from San Francisco, Berkeley, Alameda, and across the East Bay).
🎵 Passionate Choral Singer in the Bay Area? Join Our EnsembleAre you an experienced vocalist looking to perform extraordinary music in a warm, welcoming artistic community? AfterGlow Chorus is a premier, auditioned a cappella choir welcoming passionate singers across all voice parts for our upcoming season. Discover our repertoire, rehearsal schedules, and audition dates on our Choral Auditions Information Page.
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