Although Essence of Joy has played in churches, museums and convention centers around the world, the group will bring its music home to Penn State this weekend.
The group will put on a recital Sunday in Esber Recital Hall featuring contemporary African-American music, including works of composers Ulysses Kay and Donald Lawrence. The a cappella group's alumni have been invited back and will perform as a part of Homecoming weekend.
Essence of Joy, founded in 1991, is known for performing African and African-American music, including gospel and soul.
Stephanie Baker (senior-music education and theatre), an alto in the 45-member choir, is in her third year of performing with Essence of Joy and knows what to expect from the recital.
"Our concerts are long and mostly memorized," she said. "You have to sing intelligently. You can't blow out your voice."
The recital's duration can stretch to two hours or longer -- a marathon that can wear out a singer's voice if he or she is not careful.
Professor Anthony Leach, director and founder of Essence of Joy, is confident in the group's abilities, despite their taking on some difficult music.
"This is a real stretch for us musically," Leach said.
Varying rhythms, choreography and other musical complexities make this concert's repertoire particularly challenging, but he said he still has faith in his choir.
Alison Morooney (sophomore-musical theatre) is in her second year with Essence of Joy. The recital will include "a little soul, a little gospel," but will also be different from other concerts, she said.
"It's not what you'd expect to hear from us," she said. "But we rose to the challenge and it's fabulous."
The choir also has its sights set on a few goals for the concert -- confidence and musical expression -- that have always been important, Morooney said.
In addition to Penn State, Essence of Joy has performed in several countries. This past summer included an 18-day traverse of the Pacific Rim.
"It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Baker said. "How else can you go to Asia when you're in college?"
Regardless of where they may be, though, the members of the choir always enjoy themselves and reach out to the crowd.
"Essence of Joy is unique in that you make a connection with the audience," Baker said. "It is so evident that we are putting our all into the music, and the audience can't really help but be engaged in return."
Tickets for Sunday's concert are $5 for adults and $2 for students. They are sold until one hour before the recital.
