NIU’s Black Choir will perform in front of students and residents at 5 p.m. Sunday at the Life Temple Church in Rockford.

Choir President Taija Cockrell said this is the third year the choir will perform at the church’s request.

“This is a time for individuals to come together, sing together and lift their voices and fellowship together,” she said.

The choir will perform eight to 10 songs this weekend. Cockrell said she hopes the choir singing will inspire and motivate those attending to make it through whatever struggles and hardships they encounter.

People enjoy hearing good music, and that’s what the choir plans to give them, Cockrell said.

“It’s an indescribable feeling,” she said. “It makes members of the choir feel good when a person in attendance says that they were going through some rough times, but that while singing and praising God, they were motivated to work hard and try to make it through their struggle.”

Cockrell said during these kinds of performances, they try to target the high school population and other schools in the performing area.

Individuals interested in auditioning to for the choir are welcome to do so during the first two Wednesdays of next semester. The choir currently consists of 130 active members. It’s open to anyone who wants to audition, as long as he or she has a minimum GPA of 2.0.

“We don’t care what religion students are, if they want to sing, they are welcomed to come and audition,” Cockrell said.

Cockrell said the choir normally performs about two or three engagements a month in Rockford, Chicago and other surrounding cities.

Some of their more popular songs include “There’s None Like You,” “Hozana,” “We Worship You” and “I Surrender All.”

Cockrell said when members or friends are experiencing problems with motivation, the choir is a family and everyone supports one anther.

“Listening to the choir perform will definitely be an inspiration of relief before NIU students take their finals,” she said.

For information, e-mail [email protected].