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UNITY GOSPEL CHOIR INTERNATIONAL

The Unity Gospel Choir International is a 501(c)(3) entity

All donations are tax-deductible and 100% goes to the choir

DEBRA BONNER UNITY GOSPEL CHOIR

The Unity Gospel Choir International's mission is to bring souls unto Christ. The Debra Bonner Unity Gospel Choir is the FLAGSHIP of all Unity Gospel Choirs. Our performers are a diverse group, from different cultures, races, and religious backgrounds, all praising our Savior through gospel music.

 

Our brothers and sisters seem to really resonate with the music. Many have expressed that they have felt the Spirit stronger than they have ever before.

Since our very successful Christmas Concert and Gala in 2016, we have decided to make “The Messiah, a Soulful Celebration an annual event. Mervyn Warren, a celebrity and the

composer of this work, earned a Grammy for the all-­star composition, as well as five additional Grammy nominations, a Dove Award (of three nominations), and two Gospel Music Workshop of America Awards, including one for Contemporary Producer of the Year. He has consented to continue working with us! He is willing to conduct industry and choral workshops, rewrite the score for the choir and orchestra, and conduct songs from the work. We are so honored.

 

President of the choir, President Don Harwell, with Choir Director, Debra Bonner

BYU Broadcast LIVE RECORDING with Mervyn Warren

Since officially becoming The Debra Bonner Unity Gospel Choir in June 2016, the choir has performed at many exclusive venues and with numerous well-known artists, including the following:

  • Park City International Film Festival

  • Concert at the Logan Temple

  • Closing night at The Manti Pageant

  • Family History Convention in Snowbird

  • Honoring the Veterans on Veteran's Day, at the Mausoleum in Salt Lake

  • Stadium Of Fire with Tim McGraw & Patty Austin for over 45,000 people

  • Live concert with Alex Boye on July 4th, for over 5,000 people

  • Filmed the music video, “Dear Lord”, with Nathan Osmond and Valaura Arnold, soloist with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir

  • Performed a Fireside for Parents in Grief, at the West Valley Stake Center

  • Park City Film Festival

  • Self­ Empowerment Concert with Nathan Osmond, Alex Boye, and James The Mormon

  • Performed with Dallin Bayles & Jenny Oaks Baker at the Covey Center for the Arts, in Provo, for the new musical, America Nine­Eleven

  • The featured performers at the Juuva Inspire International Convention at the Davis Convention Center in Layton

  • The Morning Devotional at the Provo Convention Center for the LDS LGBT Community, AFFIRMATION

  • Entertainment for the High Priest Social for the Edgemont North Stake

  • The Eccles Theatre Grand Opening

  • Mark Krantz,“Christmas Wish, music video

  • Shops at the Riverwoods: Headliners for Tree Lighting Extravaganza

  • KSL NEWS

  • KUED NEWS, Salt Lake Tribune, & Mormon Music.org

  • Wonderama Osmond Christmas Special National Television show aired on Christmas Day.

  • Performed at the University Mall for Black Friday & The LIVE Nativity

  • BYU Broadcast LIVE RECORDING with Steven Kapp Perry

  • In concert at UVU Event Center featuring Nathan Osmond, and 5 time Grammy Award Winner, Mervyn Warren

  • UVU Grand Ballroom Gala & Concert featuring Mervyn Warren & David Blakley

  • MLK day of Service at BYU

  • BYU Art Museum, to celebrate Martin Luther King Day, Embracing Diverse Voices, to honor a century of African-American Art

  • BYU IDAHO, Power To Become Seminar 

  • Inter-Faith Round Table, Salt Lake Temple Square Tabernacle.

  • Refugee Service Gala, Salt Lake City Capitol Building

  • Davis County School District/4-H Club Concert with Alex Boye

  • Follow The Flag Patriotic Service, Pleasant Grove Canyon

  • The Piano Guys, Recorded on their New Album, 2017 & Filmed in the Music Video, "Ode To Joy" at Assembly Hall, Temple Square, SLC

  • Open for Take 6 at the Scera Shell Outdoor Amphitheater, Orem

  • Nathan Pacheco at the Scera Shell Outdoor Amphitheater, Orem

  • Lyle Lovett Concert, Red Butte Amphitheatre, SLC

  • In Concert with Center Stage Dance Studio, Scera Shell Outdoor Amphitheater, Summer Concert Series, Orem

  • Recovery Day at the Utah State Prison

  • Intermountain General Baptist Convention 100th anniversary musical, Calvary Baptist Church, SLC

  • Retirement Party for Dr. Jackie Thompson, Retired, Director of Educational Equity Dept., Davis School District, Farmington, Utah

  • Gospel Brunch at The Gateway Summer Concert Series, SLC

  • Filmed Alex Boye's New Music Video, "Celebrate"

  • Murray Park Amphitheater with Marden Pond and Big Band Orchestra, Ogden

  • Genesis Group Firesides every first Sunday

CHOIR PERFORMANCES

Park City Film Festival, Yahosh Bonner singing "Joyful Joyful."

Members of the Debra Bonner Unity Gospel Choir perform during the 2017 Sacred Music Evening hosted by the Salt Lake Interfaith Roundtable in the Tabernacle on Temple Square in Salt Lake City on Sunday, March 19, 2017.

In concert at UVU Event Center featuring David Osmond, and 5 time Grammy Award Winner, Mervyn Warren

The Eccles Theatre Grand Opening

Singing with Alex Boye at the Stadium Of Fire with Tim McGraw & Patty Austin for over 45,000 people.

CHOIR HIGHLIGHT VIDEOS

Stadium Of Fire 2016 Unity Gospel Choir, "This Little Light of Mine" with Alex Boye

STADIUM OF FIRE 2016 Unity Gospel Choir National Anthem Performance.

Christmas 2016, "JOY TO THE WORLD"  Debra Bonner Unity Gospel Choir

"Christmas Wish" original song by Mark Krantz

Debra Bonner Unity Gospel Choir 2015 Performance, Christmas at Riverwoods 

Choir Rehersal, "It's Gonna Be Alright." 2015

Debra Bonner Unity Gospel Choir Sizzle 

Stadium Of Fire 2016 Unity Gospel Choir Pyro Songs

Choir Sizzle Video

Little Drummer Boy (African Tribal Version) - Alex Boye' ft. Genesis Choir

Interfaith Musical Event Held on Temple Square

CHOIR PHOTO GALLERY

TESTIMONIALS

"Your choir members were so delightful and awesome, talented and nice! Thanks so much for your help!  So glad we had them come add their voices to our recording."

John Shmidt, The Piano Guys

"I have had the privilege of knowing Mrs. Debra Bonner for the past 20 years! She is an outstanding individual, vocal coach and choir director! She is also a Life Coach. Mrs. Bonner was an instructor for the Utah Music Educators Association in St. George, Utah for all Junior High and High School Choral Directors in the State of Utah. Ms. Debra Bonner and the Unity Gospel Choir truly blessed and inspired everyone who attended my retirement celebration on July 28, 2017!!! Their beautiful message through songs and spoken word exemplified our Savior's love and compassion for all! Guests were moved to tears, hearts were touched, and lives were changed for the better! I continue to hear many positive comments from those who were in attendance! One of our guests was so moved that she invited Ms. Debra Bonner and the Unity Gospel Choir to perform in a musical honoring the 100 Year Anniversary of the Intermountain General Baptist Convention (IGBC) on Monday, August 7, 2017 at Calvary Baptist Church in Salt Lake City, Utah. I am forever grateful to Ms. Debra Bonner and the Unity Gospel Choir for taking the time out of their busy schedule to enrich my life and the lives of so many others in our community, state and nation! With sincere love and appreciation."

Dr. Jackie Thompson, Retired, Director of Educational Equity Dept., Davis School District, Farmington, Utah

"All Enjoyed!!" I'd like to talk to you about performing for us again for the indoor season!"

Adam Robertson, CEO Scera Theatre

 

"I've been in lots of choirs...I've never seen leadership like Debra Bonner's Leadership! Debra leads with love and kindness, and I feel it all of the time!"

Dunia Alrabadi, Choir Member

"We loved having the Debra Bonner Unity Gospel Choir come and perform for us. They were easy to work with and our attendees loved having them here. It was a perfect ending to our conference. The show was professional but fun! The singing was fantastic."

Will Gierke, Speaker & Talent Management, Power to Become Conference, BYU-Idaho

"The theme about the worth of souls and our destiny to become all we can with education, God, and value of relationships. Also, that Gospel Choir was the best thing I've seen in years! We need more Gospel Choirs to perform here!"

BYU-Idaho Student, Power to Become Conference

 

"I loved the gospel choir and the speakers."

BYU-Idaho Student, Power to Become Conference

 

"I loved the speakers they were really inspiring. My favorite thing was the gospel choir."

BYU-Idaho Student, Power to Become Conference

 

"The Debra Bonner Unity Gospel Choir was the greatest choice for a closing concert...I want to see them return."

BYU-Idaho Student, Power to Become Conference

"The end where gospel singers sang, loved them so much."

BYU-Idaho Student, Power to Become Conference

 

"The gospel singers at the end were great."

BYU-Idaho Student, Power to Become Conference

 

"The music was fun, the decorations were fun, we loved the Gospel Choir - a type of music we don't get to hear very often. it was all great!"

BYU-Idaho Student, Power to Become Conference

"I absolutely loved the gospel choir we need a lot more of that here."

BYU-Idaho Student, Power to Become Conference

 

"The Debra Bonner Unity Gospel Choir is incredible!  They have this energy and enthusiasm that instantly fills the room when they start singing!  Their music is uplifting, inspiring, and engages people in a way that brings them to their feet.  They brought the excitement and energy to our event."

Josh Gandy

BYU Community Outreach Day Program Director (2017)

"Having the Debra Bonner Unity Gospel Choir at our event changed everything! They lit up our crowd and motivated them to do and be their best through song and spirit. Everyone present was invigorated with energy and love for others. Thank you!"

Chris Crippen

Director, Center for Service and Learning (BYU)

"Thank you again for coming to perform for some of our staff and Veteran’s. Thank you for the kind words about Diego. He is pretty awesome and we are so happy to have him with us. He mentioned how awesome you were as well. We received a lot of positive feedback from those that attended the event. Our guest speaker Dr. Thompson also mentioned how wonderful you all were. One of our leaders that introduced the events that day was very impressed with you all and had even mentioned about trying to work with you all on other future events in the hospital. Others made comments about it being a good program and others mentioning how you all “took them to church.”  

Elysia L. Pace, MSW, LMSW, LCSW 

“Can I just thank you for speaking so directly to the needs and hearts of several people, many people who are struggling with holding on to their faith.  Your words and example were a gift.  Thank you also, for demonstrating the love and tenderness and playfulness that can exist between a committed and loving couple.  You were a gift to us. We wanted to express sincere appreciation to the Debra Bonner Unity Gospel Choir for the wonderful fireside on March 12, 2017 that you provided for the Provo YSA 16th and 19th stakes.  The music and testimonies were so worshipful, so uplifting, so anchored in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ that we all went away rejoicing.  You helped build faith and hope, that in Jesus Christ, we can do and be all things.  As I reflected last night I thought of this great scripture in Isaiah 12 (see below).  Thank you for bringing heaven closer through your heavenly music”

2 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also has become my salvation.

3 Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.

4 And in that day shall ye say, Praise the Lord, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted.

5 Sing unto the Lord; for he hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth.

 

“Wonderful Fireside; It was amazing and although it was totally different than we are use to I felt the Spirit a lot this evening and REALLY enjoyed t!   Thank You so much!”

Stake President Jonathan Sandburg, Provo YSA 16th and 19th Stakes

"We hired the Debra Bonner Gospel Choir to perform at the annual Christmas celebration at the BYU Museum of Art. They were a pleasure to work with from beginning to end. The choir performance was without question the highlight for the Museum and its visitors in the year 2016. Their stirring and exuberant song renditions resonated with the audience on a deep level and generated the kind of positive energy that brought the hundreds of people to their feet. The Museum staff all agreed that we had never experienced this kind of enthusiastic response to a musical performer at our venue. “Unforgettable” and “exceptional” are the words that best sum up the Debra Bonner Gospel Choir and we will certainly aim to repeat this marvelous experience."

Philipp Malzl, Public Events Coordinator, BYU Museum of Art

"On January 16th, 2017 we held our annual Martin Luther King Community Outreach Day at Brigham Young University. We had 1388 volunteers attend! In 2016, we first contacted the choir and had them come to our event for the first time changing from another choir that has was typically used in the years past. The Debra Bonner Unity Gospel Choir during both years was received by all volunteers as inspiring and motivational. The community Outreach Day event in a service event in nature bringing the Provo community together to accomplish many service projects. The choir adds a level of excitement and spirit to the sleepy volunteers so early in the morning. As we ask for response on how the program actually went, many volunteers responded very positively of the choir all they way up to the Dean of Student Life.

Comments included, “The choir was an absolute blast”! "We highly enjoyed Community Outreach Day, the Debra Bonner choir was so much fun”! “We can wait to come again next year”. 

The Debra Bonner Unity Gospel Choir really brought an essential spirit of service to Community Outreach Day. We really appreciate all that the choir has done for the Community Outreach Day program and the sweet people that make up this amazing organization. Community Outreach Day thanks you from the bottom of our hearts for sharing your talents with the BYU student body and Provo community!"

Nathan Espinoza

Executive Director, Community Outreach Day Program, BYU Y-serve

"Dear Sis. and Bro. Bonner,

As long we know, "Who We Are" and "Whose We Are" everything will be Alright! Every single song we sing has a deep personal meaning for myself because of my testimony. Singing creates a vulnerable space for myself and because of it the Spirit flows more freely printing the messages of the songs on my heart! 

...and time and time again I notice that the songs also have a powerful influence on Stella for which I'm soooo grateful! 

Thank you for sharing your testimony about your personal journeys with us past Sunday! It was powerful! ...how EXCELLENT Is HIS name! A scripture that I cling to in my weaknesses is "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me". God is truly a God of miracles!"
Alina Hovsoyan

"Hi Harry and Debra,

 It was such an honor and a joy to have you with us! Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for joining us last night. My soul is well fed!

 

I truly feel that the spirit of gladness and celebration your choir radiates is something that people are hungry for. Speaking as someone from the LDS faith, I think we too often forget the joy to be found in worship and in our relationship with divinity! Your praise through song ushered in such a vibrancy and spirit that not only spoke to Christian souls, but also to those of diverse religious backgrounds. We have already received numerous comments from our Interfaith Roundtable members on your performance last night:

 

  • “Still AMAZED with that LDS gospel choir. They should be seen around the world!!!”-Josie Stone, Chair of Interfaith Roundtable, Cathedral Church of St. Mark

  • “I can’t decide what my favorite was—the LDS choir that no one thought was LDS—was unbelievable!”- Alan Bachman, Assistant Chair of Sacred Music Evening, Jewish Community

  • “Many who I work with are of the LDS faith, and I have to say it has been fun to tell several of them about the LDS Gospel Choir. Just stunning!”-Andalin Bachman, Jewish Community

  • “I thought it was great to see both the Gospel Choirs give so much support to one another. I think everyone had a wonderful time and that it fulfilled its mission, in that it brought everyone closer with understanding, co-operation, peace and harmony.”-Dave Sharp, Chair of Sacred Music Evening and Interfaith Roundtable Board member

 

Truly, your witness and spirit is a needed and rich contribution to the kingdom of God. Many thanks to you and the choir for allowing us the opportunity to partake.

With love and gratitude,"

Emilee Wolfe

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