“Hold On” — A Moment of Courage from Healing & Heart
- AfterGlow Chorus
- Oct 29
- 3 min read
AfterGlow Chorus celebrates perseverance, compassion, and the power of harmony
In August 2025, AfterGlow Chorus gathered in Oakland’s St. Paul’s Episcopal Church to present Healing & Heart — a concert honoring patients, caregivers, and the loved ones who walk beside them. Every piece on the program was chosen to speak to courage, community, and the quiet strength that binds us together.
One of the most powerful moments from that evening was our performance of Moses Hogan’s spiritual “Hold On.”
🎧 Watch “Hold On” on YouTube: https://youtu.be/G-ZGb56pmQg?si=YYl86NAijXs0ngGb
The Meaning Behind “Hold On”
Moses Hogan’s arrangement of “Hold On” is a classic of the African American spiritual tradition — a song that blends driving rhythm with unshakable faith. For AfterGlow, performing it was more than a musical challenge; it was an act of solidarity with everyone who has faced hardship and kept moving forward.
The piece begins in quiet determination and grows into a full-voiced declaration: “Keep your hand on the plow, and hold on.” Each phrase becomes a reminder that perseverance and hope can carry us through the most difficult passages of life.
Filmed live in Oakland, the performance captures what AfterGlow strives for in every concert: precision, passion, and presence. It’s not just about sound — it’s about shared breath, shared meaning, and the energy that rises when voices join together in purpose.
A Glimpse into Healing & Heart
The Healing & Heart program wove together classical masterworks, gospel spirituals, and contemporary choral writing — music by Michael John Trotta, René Clausen, Aretha Franklin, Richard Smallwood, and Bill Withers, among others. Each work offered a different perspective on comfort, resilience, and love.
“Hold On” stood out as the emotional turning point of the evening — the moment when solemn reflection gave way to joyful release. Audiences rose to their feet as rhythm and harmony filled the vaulted sanctuary.
That moment distilled the essence of AfterGlow: artistry rooted in empathy, capable of stirring both tears and triumph.
The Soul of AfterGlow Chorus
Audiences and singers alike describe AfterGlow performances as transformative. Every concert is built around a story — one that invites connection between the music and the people who hear it.
Our singers come from across the San Francisco Bay Area, uniting their diverse backgrounds into a single sound defined by clarity, balance, and heart. The result is a choir that continually redefines what choral singing in the Bay Area can be: bold, refined, and deeply human.
If you’ve searched for Bay Area choir concerts or wondered what makes an Oakland choir stand out, this performance of “Hold On” is a perfect introduction to the AfterGlow sound.
Looking Ahead to A Not So Silent Night
While Healing & Heart looked inward, our upcoming holiday concert looks outward — toward joy, celebration, and light.
Join us this December for A Not So Silent Night, a program that blends carols, spirituals, and masterworks in AfterGlow’s signature style. It’s a chance to experience the same emotional depth and musical excellence that audiences loved in Healing & Heart — this time wrapped in the spirit of the season.
📍 Venue: St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Oakland
📅 Dates: Saturday, December 13 at 7:30 PM | Sunday, December 14 at 4:00 PM🎟 Tickets: $25–$40 (early-bird pricing through November)
For anyone seeking holiday concerts in Oakland or Bay Area choir performances, A Not So Silent Night promises to be a highlight of the season.
For Singers: Join the Glow
AfterGlow isn’t only for listeners — it’s also a home for passionate singers. If you’ve been searching for Bay Area choirs auditions or hoping to join a high-level ensemble that values connection and excellence, consider auditioning for our upcoming season.
Learn more and add your voice to one of the top San Francisco Bay Area choirs.
Why “Hold On” Still Resonates
As we approach the holidays, Hold On reminds us that joy and struggle often live side by side — and that music can help us carry both.
This performance is a reminder of the human capacity for endurance, and of the beauty that emerges when community and creativity meet.
Take a moment to watch, listen, and remember: through every season, hold on.
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