My cultural tradition is Black gospel music in the quartet and choral vocal stylings of its origins from slavery to current day. This traditional music is typically practiced orally/verbally at church or in homes. In the past, it was practiced on the cotton fields. Lyrics and melodies are sung to other singers and then repeated back until the entire song is learned and embedded into memory.

This tradition is part of my culture through my ethnicity and family traditions. I am a descendent of enslaved Africans. This traditional music is meaningful to me because it is an African American contribution to the country’s arts. It’s meaningful for me to be a part of a community. Singing runs through my lineage. From slavery, to my mom, to me and then to my daughters. Singing brings me joy and connection to life. I am proud to teach it to others to continue its legacy.

I learned and practiced traditional black gospel from a very young age. A large part of Black culture is going to church on Sundays, this is an integral part of life stemming from slavery. I was born in Oklahoma and grew up singing with my family and friends in black churches. We sang acapella harmonies at the Church of Christ and after joining a baptist church we sang with musical instruments; piano, organ and drums.

I learned the tradition from my mother. I taught myself to sing by listening to her, singing along in church and by singing with the radio. I learned to direct the choir from our pianist at Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church. She taught me the basics of leading a choir in performance: set the song tempo, cue the singers when to sing, clap, and sway, sing the words and melody with the choir, cue soloists, and cue song endings.

Singing is important to the Black community for several reasons: The origins of oral teaching and learning of gospel music stems from the roots of slavery. Oral/verbal communication allowed African slaves to communicate with messages to one another in order to plan escape from the brutality and torture of being enslaved and stripped of their traditions.

Singing added cohesiveness and served as strength to those who courageously marched and protested for equal rights during the civil rights era and also serves as a look into current social/economic affairs of African Americans. Singing together allowed expressions of praise and worship to God, expressions of joy and of sorrow and the great hope of deliverance from current situations.

Black gospel choirs and vocal groups performances were usually reserved for church services and concerts (we used to call them “musicals”) but now can be heard at festivals, weddings, funerals, in album recordings, and many other ceremonies.

2020 (postponed because of COVID19) to 2021 Larhonda will be inducted into the Oregon Music Hall of Fame

2019 Larhonda was inducted into the Cascade Blues Associations Hall of Fame

2018 Larhonda received special recognition for participation in the 2017/18 Porretta Soul Festival in Porretta Italy from the Associazione Culturidea the nonprofit organization that sponsors many Cultural events there and in surrounding areas.

2016, 17, and 18 Larhonda won the Muddy Award from the Cascade Blues Association for the Duffy Bishop Best Female vocalist