Choirs and choir music are integral to the African American church experience. Joe Pace, whose accolades include multiple Grammy, Stellar and Dove award nominations, and who has helmed more than 14 award-winning, critically acclaimed choir albums, has a singular focus on keeping choir music vibrant and relevant.
His latest release, Joe Pace Presents: Pastor H.B. Charles, Jr. and the
Shiloh Church Choir, which debuted at #2 on Billboard's Top Gospel Albums Chart, has remained in the Billboard Top-10 for the last seven weeks and demonstrates the enduring appeal, power and necessity of the church choir.
Released in September, this album is the sixth installment in his "Joe Pace Presents" music series. The series is a representation of Pace's extraordinary gifting and his commitment to fortifying churches around the world with exquisitely composed but practical, usable music.
"There has certainly been a decline in the releases of church choir albums in the marketplace," says Pace. "Projects with music suitable for Sunday morning worship that can be taught, reproduced, and duplicated by ministries everywhere are not as popular as they once were. We wanted to do a project that helped to dispel the rumors about the death of the church choir, and expose its relevance and importance to gospel music. We want every listener to be blessed when they hear these songs, which we also hope will serve as an additional resource of church music to ministries everywhere."
Pastor Charles says, "I am excited that Joe Pace and the
Shiloh Church Choir has produced a project that is targeted at the church, steeped in sound doctrine, and performed with musical excellence. Of course, I am biased about this CD, but I am truly grateful for this project. It is good music, biblical lyrics, and worship oriented. It is the kind of music I enjoy listening to, music that inspires me to worship God, trust Christ more, and serve the Lord more faithfully."
The album is currently the #1 Gospel Choir Album Digital Download on Amazon.com and is also on the
Stellar Awards first ballot in the category of Traditional Choir of the Year. The first single, "It Is Well" is rising steadily at Gospel radio. Pace has visited top radio outlets around the country including Sirius/XM Kirk Franklin's Praise and Erica Campbell's Get Up! Mornings radio show. Pace also recently made a live television appearance on
The Word Network to talk about the project and the relevance of church choir music.
"It Is Well" is a signature Pace choir arrangement of the classic and timeless Horatio Spafford hymn that is well-known in churches all over the world. "The song seeks to remind people of the hope they have in Christ. Regardless of what is going on around you, regardless the outlook or circumstance, it can still be well with your soul! Having a choir in this arrangement to drive home that message adds to the power of the song," says Pace.
This LIVE album offers a great collection of diverse, yet accessible church music. Both Pace and Charles wrote several songs, which, coupled with fresh Pace arrangements of church classics, will not only bless every listener, but will also work in practically any church setting.
About Joe Pace Over the last 20 years Pace has established himself as one of the nation's most prolific church songwriters and choir directors, with many of his songs becoming Sunday morning worship standards. With well over 500,000 in career album sales that span14 full-length projects, an anointed production style, and keen focus on church suitable worship, Pace certainly has solidified his place as one of the gospel music industry's most dynamic and enduring talents. He may be best known for his work with the award winning Colorado Mass Choir (responsible for choir hit songs like: "Stir up the Gift", "Still Have Joy", and "So Good"), with six projects to their credit including - The Grammy and Dove Nominated Speak Life project. He was also at the production helm for a "live" worship project for mega-church Faithful Central Bible
Church out of Los Angeles, CA, and a Double-CD and DVD anniversary project entitled
Mighty Long Way bringing together for the first time, all the choirs he's worked with over the years.
Joe Pace is currently
Worship Pastor at Shiloh Church.
