While most modern churches have abandoned river and lake baptisms in favor of baptismal tanks, the rural congregations of the Northwest Delta still gather together on the first Sunday in September to Baptist yearly candidates in Moon Lake, just as they have for over 100 years. It is at these baptism ceremonies where one can still hear spirituals sung in a style that predates modern gospel. Songs begin spontaneously by women song leaders and the congregation sings the lines as they are introduced in the classic call and response style, which is the hallmark of African-American music, from spirituals to work chants to blues and jazz.