Why Covenant Quartet’s Rick Ferret sings gospel

Covenant Quartet brings its gospel vocal harmonies to Avondale Conservatorium’s first Evensong for 2015. Second bass Dr Rick Ferret (pictured, left), a senior lecturer in ministry and theology at Avondale College of Higher Education, is the ensemble’s leader. I asked about his musical journey.

Why do you sing gospel music, and what do you enjoy about the genre?
Gospel music provides a unique context where the great themes of the Christian faith, the Christian journey and personal experiences can be told and retold. It has an incredible way of seeping into your heart. I also love sharing gospel music in so-called “secular” contexts—the openness allows multiple perspectives to be shared.

How did your musical journey begin?
Mum bought my first guitar when I was 14 and I taught myself how to play. Each instrument I play [harmonica, keyboard, mandolin and saxophone] I’ve self taught. Music fascinated me—I loved all kinds of genres and sounds, particularly harmony in gospel music. I sang in my first quartet when I was 16.

Members of Covenant Quartet suffered multiple voice-related illnesses this past year, just as the group was gaining momentum. How do you explain this coincidence?
One of the challenges in any vocal ensemble is managing the voice. After returning from a gospel concert in Fiji, our first tenor, Joel, found out he had major problems with his voice box. Our first bass, Peter, also had issues with his voice and with his sinus. We use gospel music to celebrate the covenant God has made with us, so perhaps there was something going on in the spiritual realm. We’re better now and looking forward to sharing more gospel music this year.

Evensong is a free meditative and reflective recital presented by the Conservatorium of Music at Avondale College of Higher Education as part of the Avondale Concert Series.

Event

Evensong: Covenant Quartet, Ladies Chapel, Avondale College of Higher Education, Saturday, February 28, 7 pm. Freewill offering.

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Brenton Stacey

Author

Brenton Stacey

Brenton is Avondale University’s Public Relations and Philanthropy Officer. He brings to the role experience as a communicator in publishing, media relations, public relations, radio and television, mostly within the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the South Pacific and its entities.