The Howard Performing Arts Center (HPAC) will host a performance by the Heritage Singers at 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4. Whether you grew up listening to the Heritage Singers or are discovering them for the first time, this concert will make for a wonderful experience for your evening if you are in search of something to do.
If you grew up in the Seventh-day Adventist community, then maybe you also have a soundtrack in your head when reading this line: “Heaven is a happy place and heaven is for kids.” Or maybe you can even hear the booming bass declaring, “King Saul, send out your champion to fight me!” These lyrics from the Heaven is for Kids album by the Heritage Singers are my first memories and encounter with the group. Whether it was listening to their songs on the way to church each Sabbath morning or hearing them live in concert, their music has carried generations in faith and worship. Yet, as familiar as their songs are, many people don’t know the full story of the group behind them.
The Heritage Singers are a non-profit gospel music ministry that was first founded in 1971 by Max and Lucy Mace. Based in Placerville, California, the Maces just wanted a singing group to be a part of for a few years. Initially, they didn’t have aspirations for what Heritage Singers would later become, they were just two Seventh-Day Adventist Christians who wanted an opportunity to sing gospel music. By the end of that very first summer, the Maces recognized that the group was more than a choir, but rather a ministry. Initially listeners thought their sound was too contemporary and many churches wouldn’t welcome them. It took several years before the Heritage Singers eventually became the musical staple in Adventist homes they are now recognized as.
The Maces had a commitment to the Heritage Singers' identity as a ministry and not just another singing group. That commitment and trust in God is what shaped their decisions related to the group through the years. For example, rather than signing with record labels that might have brought more publicity and perks, they chose to retain ownership of their music and keep control of their spiritual mission. That faithfulness to God’s leading has been the foundation of their success. While Max and Lucy are no longer the directors (Max passed on Nov. 4, 2020, one day short of his 83rd birthday), that faithfulness to God’s leading has been the foundation of their success.
Something incredibly unique about the Heritage Singers is their members. The group has had over 300 members since its start, with a tradition of having around 8 singers at a time. Unlike many vocal groups where star personalities take center stage, their identity has never revolved around individual talent. Even with the current members featured on their latest album, “Testify,” other than the photos, it is incredibly difficult to come across a list of the singers. With so many voices adding to the group's legacy, it's hard to come across information about specific members.
Over the last five decades, the group has built a legacy that few groups in gospel music can match. What was a small family project is today an international movement. The Heritage Singers have traveled to more than 80 countries, bringing their message of hope to audiences across North and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. In addition to their global performances, the group has been able to produce 200 television programs, allowing their ministry to reach far beyond their live performances. With over 200 recorded albums, they have become an active artist in an industry where musical groups only last a few years.
While a consistent outlier in the music industry, the Heritage Singers have become a staple for many Adventist communities. Whether you come to hear familiar songs or to discover the Heritage Singers for the very first time, the evening promises to be a celebration of faith, music, and community. To purchase tickets, go to the HPAC’s website.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.