The sounds of uplifting gospel music swelled through Foellinger Auditorium Saturday night at Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity's second annual gospel concert.

Hundreds of students, parents and members of the community waited eagerly, including sophomore in applied life studies Anika Morris.

Morris, a member of University Black Chorus, beamed with excitement as she waited for the concert to begin. She said she learned about the gospel concert while attending a Black Chorus rehearsal.

"I love gospel music," she said. "I enjoy coming to events that uplift the soul, especially in stressful times like these."

Concert coordinator Judson Allen said the fraternity wanted to add something different to typical social events that occur in Champaign.

"We wanted to offer something to students that don't necessarily take part in the parties, but are more into spiritual things," Allen said. But he also said the event was not only for those who are heavily spiritual.

"It's also for those individuals that might not be so spiritual and those that kind of dibble-dabble in spiritual events."

Last year, the Chicago Mass Choir was the headliner performance, but Allen said this year more local groups were involved in the concert.

Performers for the first half of the concert included the Alpha Omega Church Choir, soloist and sophomore in FAA Allison Semmes, and Faithful Praise, a praise ensemble and division of the campus's Faith Christian Peer Ministry.

Cynthia Turner and Heartspeak headlined the event. Heartspeak's members hail from around the Midwest, including some University students. Their contemporary singing style and rousing songs held the audience's attention for the rest of the evening. A full band and praise dancers accompanied the group — some of whom traveled from as far as North Carolina and Atlanta, Ga., to perform in the concert.

Fraternity member Ryan Lowry said the concept of the gospel concert came from an idea to demonstrate an aspect of black life. He said the only other program like it is that of the University Black Chorus, a group that has a show in the fall and during Mom's Weekend in the spring. He added that the concert's focus was to give the audience a chance to rejoice and to fellowship together.

Allen said his organization received positive feedback from last year's concert and they hope to bring down such gospel greats as Yolanda Adams and Fred Hammond in the future.

"We want the name of the concert to eventually be able to hold its own weight," he said.

Morris said the gospel concert was a good experience for her.

"It's like having church experiences that I'd normally have at home in Chicago," she said.