Olecia Wedderburn-Christie - File

The show got off to a very late start, but once it got under way, it was a display of compelling ministry, energetic performances, intense audience response and some poor sound quality.

Such was the situation at the University of Technology (UTech) annual gospel concert, held on Friday, at Alfred Sangster Auditorium, located on the Old Hope Road campus.

Dubbed 'Salvation PhD', the concert was also a gospel song-fest. It kicked off with a passionate praise and worship segment by the UCCF Choir. But it was Jermaine Edwards who had the congregation dancing to a revival beat, with the singing of choruses like When I Think of Jesus. He was energetic and had the ever-swelling audience singing and dancing in one accord.

Melodies, a group of five vocalists, conducted their praise and worship with renditions of Lord You are Awesome and Only You Take My Breath Away, while Rychus gave his testimony with the song I Feel Like a New Day.

Other performers were Kareen Thomas, Donovan, Chronicle and DJ Equip. MC was Olecia Wedderburn-Christie.

Generally, the concert was one- dimensional. The programme contained of only musical items: songs and deejay. For the most part, the performers shouted into poor quality microphones, thus resulting in distorted sounds, and this affected the articulation of words.

But those in attendance, from all indication, were not aware or bothered. They had a moment to dance and at the end of the concert, emerged with a PhD in 'Dance - the Gospel Way'.

While the UTech Student Union is to be congratulated on their undertaking, perhaps they should explore the use of other disciplines in the performing arts as viable options for ministering to their peers.