An Oasis of Sound: Finding Rest, Healing, and Light in Choral Harmony
- AfterGlow Chorus
- Jul 17
- 3 min read
An invite to step away from the noise of the world with our upcoming Summer 2026 series.
"The energy in the room was absolutely electric. You don’t just hear this music; you feel it vibrating right through you. I left feeling completely re-energized." — AfterGlow Concert Attendee
When you experience a live performance by an advanced choir, the music becomes more than a sequence of beautifully sung notes—it is a physical, vibrating presence. This August, AfterGlow Chorus invites you to step inside the historic sanctuary of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Oakland, to experience that electric energy firsthand.
Our upcoming summer program, The Gift of Love, is a musical offering carefully crafted as an oasis of sound. It is an afternoon designed to provide profound comfort, rest, and emotional healing for caregivers, those navigating a season of loss, or anyone currently weathering the storms of life.
A Holistic Journey Through Landscapes of the Heart
To build this restorative space near the shores of Lake Merritt, our auditioned a cappella choir will guide you through a seamless narrative of choral works that transition from quiet, deeply personal reflection into a soaring, soulful celebration:
Movements of Serenity and Light: We begin in spaces of quiet grace, featuring the luminous, angelic opening of Susan LaBarr’s "Angele Dei," the towering, immersive walls of close-harmony sound in Thomas LaVoy’s "Alleluia," the ancient, modal comfort of Maurice Duruflé’s "Ubi Caritas," and the majestic, deeply grounded reflection of Nathaniel Dett’s "O Holy Lord."
Songs of Release and Resilience: The program then transitions into raw, powerful historical spirituals that process grief and collective strength, featuring Moses Hogan’s deeply comforting "Give Me Jesus," Ysayë Barnwell’s resonant "Wanna Die Easy When I Die," and Stacey Gibbs’ stirring, rhythmic "Wade in the Water."
Uplifting Anthems of Joy and Soul: We close our journey with high-energy, soul-stirring joy to fully restore the weary, including Richard Smallwood’s modern gospel masterpiece "Healing," Nathan Carter’s inspiring "If I Can Help Somebody," and Sam Cooke’s legendary classic "Bring It on Home to Me."
Video Preview: Anchored in the Power of the Human Voice
Want a glimpse of the powerful energy our singers are bringing to the Oakland stage this August?
Before we shift to the comforting, soulful embrace of Moses Hogan's "Give Me Jesus," look back at our recent spring season, Purple Reign—our special tribute to the music and legacy of Prince. Watch how our singers channel high-octane, roof-raising energy in this live recording of Moses Hogan’s awe-inspiring masterpiece, "My Soul's Been Anchored in the Lord," recorded live at St. Paul’s:
Grab Your Tickets in the Oasis (Before Door Pricing Takes Effect)
Following our complete advance ticket sell-out, all other special discount tiers are now officially sold out. The final remaining block of our Limited-Time Discount Tickets ($5 off regular admission) is running exceptionally low.
You can reserve your seats today online for $35. We highly recommend booking your tickets now before this promotional tier sells out and standard pricing hits the $40 door rate at the venue.
Select your preferred date below to reserve your space directly via Eventbrite:
Concert Schedule & Venue Details
Performance 1: Sunday, August 9, 2026 at 4:00 PM — Click Here for August 9th Tickets via Eventbrite
Performance 2: Sunday, August 16, 2026 at 4:00 PM — Click Here for August 16th Tickets via Eventbrite
The Venue: St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 114 Montecito Ave, Oakland, CA 94610 (next to Lake Merritt)
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