Singers with message

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32975, 22 July 1972, Page 13

Singers with message

“It’s Getting Late” is not only the title of a folk-rock oratorio, but also the message, according to Mr J. Lee, the leader of the touring United States evangelical Continental Singers, at present performing in Christchurch.

“It’s a way of telling people that the last days before the second coming of Jesus Christ are here. We believe that the prophecies of the scriptures about the last days are being fulfilled,” said Mr Lee.

The group of 34—22 males and 12 females between the ages of 16 and 27—is nearing the end of its New Zealand tour. On Thursday evening the group performed for 30 minutes at St Margaret’s College, and yesterday visited three schools. The main concert this evening is booked out, but there are still seats for the Sunday evening concert at Hagley High School hall.

Mr Lee performed in every continent except Africa, and has appeared on national net-

work television in the United States.

The group has brought its own musical instruments and sound equipment, worth several thousand dollars. A variety of types of music for a wide age group is presented, although most of the capacity audiences have been predominantly youthful. Most of the singers are soloists in their own right, selected from auditions throughout the United States. On the New Zealand tour the main soloists are 20-year-old Janice Wilson, .Gary Bixter and Lloyd Larson, as well as Mr Lee.

While in Christchurch the singers are guests of Youth for Christ, and are billeted in Christchurch homes. They will leave for Auckland on Monday, spend two weeks in Australia, then travel to Hawaii.