Chicago Mass Choir

n 1971, James C. Chambers organized the Ecclesiastes Community Choir.
This choir was nourished by James and the Lord for more than 20 years, and ECC flourished into one of the country's finest singing aggregations.

In July 1988, James' greatest vision became reality when the ECC Music Workshop commenced at Kennedy King College. Its purpose was to enhance the performance quality and music administration of gospel music and to unite this city's choirs, community organizations, musicians, songwriters, and soloists. During that first workshop in 1988, James founded and presented the Chicago Mass Choir. In 1991 Chicago Mass was nominated in five categories for the Gospel Music Excellence awards and was the winner of Best New Artist. In 1992, the Chicago Mass recording "I Can Go to the Rock" was winner of Song of the Year.

In 1994, the ECCMW/Chicago Mass Choir torch was passed to Dr. Feranda Williamson, who had been a founding member and featured soloist of the Ecclesiastes Community Choir, and a longtime colleague and close friend of the group's beloved founder. "This has always been a ministry of encouragement," Feranda asserts. "It's about hope for people - and from people - who have gone through all types of trying situations and troubled times. Musically, we consider ourselves to be building on the strong foundation of Chicago's gospel music that has preceeded us."