Love, Hope, and Inspiration

Andrew Whitton

The accomplished gospel/spiritual group Kingdom Choir brings its infectious, soulful sounds to the Mary D'Angelo Performing Arts center via MIAC this month for an enthusiastic and unforgettable performance.

Tuesday, Feb. 21

Following their show-stopping performance of "Stand By Me" at the Royal Wedding in 2018, London's The Kingdom Choir will bring their breathtaking artistry to Mercyhurst University's Mary D'Angelo Performing Arts Center. The choir first attracted the world's attention when they performed "Stand By Me" in front of a television audience of over two billion at the marriage of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Since then, their infectious joy and spirit (matched only by their raw gospel spiritual style) has taken them around the world, including a debut North American tour in 2019 and performances on Good Morning America, The Today Show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, and more.

The Kingdom Choir is composed of extraordinary singers from all over the southeast area of England. Over the years, the group has made many public broadcast appearances on religious radio and television broadcasts in the UK. The choir has performed alongside such artists as Elton John, Luther Vandross, the Spice Girls, Andraé Crouch, the BBC Philharmonic, and Fred Hammond, among countless other high-profile musicians.

Conductor Karen Gibson is an award-winning gospel choir leader who is credited on some of the most prestigious, large-scale choirs across the United Kingdom. Gibson is also a judge for BBC's Gospel Choir of the Year competition. Her prevalence and expertise have carried her work across Europe and into Asia, Africa, and the United States.

Brett Johnson, director of the Mercyhurst Theatre Program and artistic director for Mercyhurst Institute for Arts and Culture (MIAC) said, "The Kingdom Choir's life-affirming artistry is sure to resonate with Erie audiences on an emotional and spiritual level. We're thrilled to welcome this world-renowned gospel choir to Mercyhurst University."

In their awe-inspiring concerts, The Kingdom Choir expertly blends gospel standards with contemporary classics for a performance that is as modern as it is soulful. —Michael Hull

7:30 p.m. // Mary D'Angelo Performing Arts Center, 501 E 38th St. // $20-$45 // Tickets and information at: miac.mercyhurst.edu/events