God gave me a dream and a vision in December 2000 to bring together multiple voices of the Hampton Roads area into one concert choir. With much prayer and seeking the Will of the Holy Spirit, I was inspired in my dream in December 2000 to combine every choir, soloist, male chorus, and gospel ensemble from the area churches I have served as organist and musician current and past. Therefore, during the month of January 2001, I was given the opportunity to present a concert at the Metropolitan Baptist Church in Suffolk, Virginia with their Chapel Choir in celebration of Choir Month 2001. At this union, a concert was performed so that we could mightily Praise God! After much prayer and planning, requests were made to each group to join in this Community Choir vision. Responses and agreements to participate were overwhelming and it was revealed at that moment that God was doing a great and mighty work in the Spirit of Praise!

God gave me the theme, the scripture, and the name of the choir in my dream for the initial concert, “Let’s Just Praise Him,” and the name of this concert choir, “The Higher Praise Community Choir of Hampton Roads,” (HPCC). I was inspired by God to begin each rehearsal and the reading of the entire 100th Book of Psalm to establish the central theme for this choir. HE also gave me the names of the accompanying musicians HE wanted to serve with me in this endeavor. Psalm 100 was given by GOD to be the establishing scripture for HIS Higher Praise Community Choir. We meditate and exercise this inspiring scripture at every rehearsal and whenever we minister in songs which ushers Higher Praise Community Choir into the presence of GOD.

Most importantly, God spoke to my spirit these words: “I want everyone to just praise ME. If you praise ME more, I will bless you more….just tell everyone to lift ME higher with praises, not just today or tomorrow; but all the time. Lift up holy hands and praise ME and I will heal you, I will heal your finances, I will heal the land, I will pour out bountiful blessings upon you and your families….bless ME with a higher praise.”

As a result of this charge of music ministry, January 28, 2001 became the establishing point of time where the Chapel Choir of Metropolitan Baptist Church of Suffolk, Virginia; Dr. Robert Hobbs, Pastor; united with many other Hampton Roads' choir members to include:

• New Hope Baptist Church, Chesapeake, VA; Dr. Foster, Pastor;
• Oak Grove Baptist Church, Suffolk, VA; Dr. Copeland, Pastor;
• Tabernacle Christian Church, Suffolk, VA; Dr. Upton, Pastor
• Poplar Run Baptist Church, Suffolk, VA; Rev. Williams,Pastor
• Mt. Joy Church of God In Christ, Suffolk, VA; Bishop Wiggins, Pastor
• Eternal Joy and several Gospel vocalists and musicians
  
  

We all united as one numbering 120 voices strong, lifting up the Name of Jesus as HE commands. It was at this appointed time that GOD spoke to my spirit again to voice to everyone that we are to PRAISE HIM HIGHER, LIFT HIM HIGHER, and GIVE A HIGHER PRAISE! GOD wants his people everywhere to PRAISE HIM more and more.

As a result of God’s command, Higher Praise Community Choir sings with the Anointing of God, and gives the Lord a higher praise.

I thank God for serving the Hampton Roads Church communities for over 15 years with Higher Praise Community Choir, but in the Ministry of Music for over 45 years in song, worship, and praise. This Gospel Ministry has grown spiritually over the years and GOD has been reaffirmed in countless ways. This choir is made up of multiple professions including licensed ministers, evangelists; United States Active Duty service members and Veterans; city, local and federal government professionals; as well as college and public school teachers; all serving GOD to enhance our communities.

We invite you to celebrate with us to sing higher praises unto our Lord God and worship Him in the Spirit of Praise. When we come together on any occasion, we know we are to sing higher praises to the Most High God. Join in with us on this very blessed and joyous occasion with this anointed group of voices, the Higher Praise Community Choir of Hampton Roads, as we explore higher heights in Jesus Christ through contemporary and traditional songs, hymns, praise, and worship to our God.

Please continue to pray as we travel here and abroad, sharing the vision of higher praise, that we will continue to lift Him up with a Higher Praise. Pray with us as the Gospel of Jesus Christ pour out bountiful blessings upon our world, our land, our government, our communities, our homes, and our lives.

We are blessed and happy that GOD has continued to pour out His Spirit upon this blessed and anointed group of singers and musicians. We know that God has taken us to another level in Him in this most anointed CD/Album, released April 20, 2007, “Let’s Just Praise Him.” We were also very blessed to feature an international recording artist on this anointed CD, Frankie Davis of Paris, France. Frankie sings professionally with the Golden Gate Quartet in Paris, France, on a French label.

This CD/album promises to lift you higher in Jesus and is a unique sound of traditional and contemporary Gospel with a flavor of African and Reggae mixture. We invite you to listen attentively and expect to be blessed and healed by the powerful anointing of God! Rev. Dr. Sidney Foster, Jr., prophesied to me that people will be healed and delivered as they listen to this anointed CD and it has been confirmed on several occasions. We pray that you will feel the presence of GOD’s anointing as we minister in song and as you listen to this anointed CD/Album as we continue to lift Him up with a higher praise! To God Be The Glory For The Great Things He Has Done!! Higher Praise Community Choir will be working on their second CD project in the near future.