This is the Morgan State Choir under direction of the late Dr. Nathan Carter singing "Great Is Thy Faithfulness'" led by the late countertenor Ernest Saunders in 1990.
OMG! I miss the great hymns of our beloved church. I grew up AME all my life and I can really appreciate this song. I'm in tearings cause of power in this hymn and knowing the truth behind it! R.I.P. Dr. Carter and Ernie Saunders!
I finally found the vid with Ernest Saunders in a tux. Agree that the arrangement and phrasing (and the conducting and his voice!) is what makes the song so exceptional! I have the video bookmarked on my computer and play the video frequently. Is there anyone else out there who has the musical talent of Dr. Carter and Mr. Saunders?
After 15 years I finally learned the name of this exceptional soloist. Thank you. Miss Dr. Carter also. Looked forward to his annual concerts in DC/Silver Spring area. None like him.
This is the first version I heard of this song. Since this was posted, I have another version that I like as well. May you rest in peace, Ernie. What a blessing to the MSU Choir you have been.
I was on a different tap with autoplay on when this video started playing. I came back to this tab to see a man singing and all I could say was you got to be kidding me!
@1pastorson, you are right he rocked every where he went, I'll never forget growing as a kid I admit I was scared of him because of his one finger, I remember telling my mom, she told me baby he is harmless and a wonder person, so I did he was very friendly and when he used to sing in the state choir under the direction of the late sister kitty his voice was phenomenal and could hit notes that even some women couldnt do where with them they would jack up the song.....lol Rip ES
A lot of Know vocalist came from Morgan choir under Mr. Carter like R&B singers Tonya Blount, Tank, jazz sinfer Messalique aka Messa, gospel singer Jason Nelson and more!!
@Dr. Tara - I could have sworn I saved the “Ernest Saunders in black tux” version. Now I can’t find it! This version is exquisite but the “black tux” version is slightly more moving, to me anyway. Maybe because it seems longer. I thought I had bookmarked the link but can’t find it. It’s in PBS Great performances special, which is about an hour long. He sings at the 45 minute mark, just after one of the conductor’s interviews. (To the best of my recollection).
I recall hearing him sing "His Eye is on the Sparrow" but can't find it anywhere. That was the first time I heard his voice and I was awed. I think it was on a PBS special on the choir and Dr. Carter. Anyone know if there is a recording of it anywhere on line?
Great version of Great is thy faithfulness but I'm looking for the version in which he was wearing a black tux? It was shown on Maryland Public TV. Anyone have that video. Don't misunderstand. I love this version too but that black tux version is beyond awesome. Better camera angles too.
Eric Conway is the new director and conductor for the Morgan State University choir and orchestra, he's been in that position since Dr. Nathan Carter's death in 2004 (14 years ago)
Ernest saunders, he was a music major at morgan when dr. Carter was the conductor, he was a counter-tenor (a male soprano). He passed in October of 2004 (three months after dr. Carter passed)
OMG!!! HOW DID HE DIE!!! i had "heard" he may have passed, but i wasnt sure. i kno he worked with the wilmington-chester mass choir...and their founder, also namked ernie passed in '91....
I remember the first time I attended New J, I heard this voice, sounded female like, sooooo heavenly, I was like who was that singing? Of course it was the one and only Ernie Saunders. I could listen to him sing forever. It broke my heart when he passed, he'll forever have a special place in my heart,
