THE STORY OF THE OAKLAND INTERFAITH GOSPEL CHOIR

As a country challenges a cycle of division and exclusion, a choir sings with one voice, defining diversity in profound ways and using the tradition of Black gospel music to unify.

 

“Our country and the world need to see that people that are not alike can do something beautiful together.”

~ Terrance Kelly

 

 

ONE VOICE Official Trailer

One Voice delves into the lives of Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir members and artistic director Terrance Kelly. This film illuminates a group of people from diverse faiths, races, genders, socioeconomic backgrounds, and lifestyles, all with a common goal: to bring joy and inspiration to the stage through black gospel music. By coming from a place of inclusion and acceptance, choir members are able to bridge their differences, embracing the celebrations and challenges that arise along the way.

Gospel music is a rich tradition born from the African-American spiritual during America's slavery period and the civil rights movement. Slaves used gospel music to cope with the misery of bondage – civil rights activists sang gospel music to urge action and find courage. In the midst of a country that again finds itself grappling with issues of race, gender equality, and intolerance, a group in Oakland, California, continues the rich historical tradition of using music to promote peace, love, and acceptance. 

With a rich history that spans three decades, OIGC has inspired audiences all over the world. The choir delivers its world-class music across the globe, thrilling concert attendees at renowned venues such as the Montreux Jazz Festival and the Molde International Jazz Festival. Yet it stays true to its Oakland roots, lifting the spirits of the homeless, elderly, and inmates throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. From its humble beginning to OIGC’s 30th-anniversary celebration on the historic Paramount Theatre stage, this choir continues to circulate musical excellence through the manifestation of One Voice.

“I hope this documentary helps open up the eyes of so many people and maybe helps communities set up more opportunities such as this to bring communities closer.”

~ Student response

Screenings

Host A Screening

When you sign up to host a screening, OIGC will provide you with the film (if you don’t already have one), an event toolkit, and photos, biographies, etc. for use in promotional efforts when asked. We will also list your screening on the One Voice website and social media accounts to support your screening.

Educational and School-based screenings in Oakland are provided free of charge. We ask that individual and organization screening hosts agree to support OIGC by contributing at least 50% of proceeds to the choir. OIGC is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and all contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Watch

“To see such unabashed positivity in a group of people feels oddly rare in this day and age, and together with the heavenly, reassuring gospel music, I certainly left the viewing with a renewed understanding of the importance of community and belonging.”

~ Student response

“I love this movie, for it made a full grown man cry, truly beautiful movie. Thank you.”

~ Student response

Crew

  • director SPENCER WILKINSON

  • executive producer MARY FORD

  • co-producers JED RIFFE & OAKLAND INTERFAITH GOSPEL CHOIR

  • editors JESSE ANDREW CLARK & ANGELA REGINATO

  • finishing editor MAUREEN GOSLING

  • assistant editors TIFFANY MASCARENHAS, APRIL SHORT

  • colorist DARREN HARTMAN

  • archivist MARLENE ‘MO’ MORRIS

  • animation STEFAN GUSTAFSSON

  • original compositions TERRANCE KELLY

  • additional compositions JAY WILLIAMS

  • audio post-production IMRSV SOUND and BERKELEY SOUND ARTISTS

  • color post-production CHROMACOLOR

  • lead cinematographer SPENCER WILKINSON

  • special cinematographer DEMONDRE WARD

  • contributing cinematographers ISA S. CHU, AYSE GÜRSÖZ, KORISE JUBERT, NICK KASIMATIS, MARIA LONG

  • marketing manager ISA S. CHU

Film Info

  • Country: United States

  • Year: 2018

  • Total Running Time: 61 min.

  • Print Source: Jed Riffe Films

Media Inquiries

  • media@oigc.org

  • 510-839-4361