![Members of the choir hold hands](https://www.swarthmore.edu/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/news-events/fs_gospel_4095.jpg?itok=t5zY7vt0)
Members of the Alumni Gospel Choir gather in prayer on the steps of the Friends Meeting House before their 40th anniversary concert.
![The full choir peforming](https://www.swarthmore.edu/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/news-events/fs_gospel_4192.jpg?itok=RxCZBnAJ)
Choir Director Vaneese Thomas '74, H'14 leads the choir in song.
![Gospel choir members praying](https://www.swarthmore.edu/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/news-events/fs_gospel_6801.jpg?itok=0AzURNHp)
Sam Brackeen '68 offers a prayer.
![A trio of singers stands in the background with a soloist in the foreground performing](https://www.swarthmore.edu/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/news-events/fs_gospel_4109.jpg?itok=WFaBN_N8)
Gerald Cox '78 (right) performs a solo during "Just in Time."
![Two singers stand in front of the choir](https://www.swarthmore.edu/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/news-events/fs_gospel_6931.jpg?itok=XvYpPYtR)
Freeman Palmer '79 and Vaneese Thomas '74 perform solos during "Listen to the Rain."
![Students singing](https://www.swarthmore.edu/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/news-events/fs_gospel_4176.jpg?itok=oMgt0YSs)
Members of the College's student gospel choir joined the program.
![Vaneese Thomas leads the choir](https://www.swarthmore.edu/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/news-events/fs_gospel_6954.jpg?itok=ZImpXu-T)
"When we were students, the choir was our cultural, spiritual, and educational refuge," says Vaneese Thomas. "We needed each other for everything, so the concept that we'd still be singing together is not so far fetched. There's also the need to mentor students as we were mentored. We're committed to that."
Members of the Alumni Gospel Choir gather in prayer on the steps of the Friends Meeting House before their 40th anniversary concert.