Kingdom Choir to bless the PAC with their voices

Eva Philips, Staff writer

They have traveled worldwide to uplift people through their beautiful performances, and their next stop is at Mercyhurst. On Feb. 21, 2023, witness the talent of the Kingdom Choir as they perform a concert for the Erie community in the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center. The Kingdom Choir is a British gospel choir founded in 1994. The singers all hail from southeast England. Karen Gibson, a conductor who has received praise for her skill and artistic vision, founded the group. The choir’s performances reflect Christian religious beliefs, but the group’s message of hope and inspiration is universal. The Kingdom Choir’s website declares that it is “passionate about producing a sound that resonates in people’s hearts.” While the group has been touring around the United Kingdom and internationally for more than two decades, they gained widespread publicity after performing at the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018. Their performance of “Stand By Me,” originally written and performed by Ben E. King in 1961, awed viewers around the world. Over two billion people watched the televised broadcast of the royal wedding from St. George’s Chapel in London, where the voices of the Kingdom Choir filled the space. Gibson conducted the performance, after which she was praised as “Britain’s godmother of gospel.” Her influence in the realm of music was recognized in 2020 when she was named a Member of the Order of the British Empire. After their performance at the royal wedding, the group went on to tour North America, making television appearances on the “Today Show” and “Good Morning America.” The Kingdom Choir is slated to perform in 22 cities across
North America in just a little more than a month. The choir’s appearance at Mercyhurst on Feb. 21 will be one stop on the group’s latest North American tour.
The tour will also take the choir across the continent to cities like Montreal, Chicago, Birmingham and San Diego. So far, the group has released two albums.
The first came out in 2018. Titled “Stand By Me,” it features traditional Christian songs like “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” and “Amazing Grace.” Additionally, it has the Kingdom Choir’s performances of popular songs like Beyonce’s “Halo” and John Legend’s “All of Me.” And, of course, it opens with
the group’s “Stand By Me” performance. With its gospel style and harmonious approach, the group puts its unique spin on these classics, elevating them to become especially impactful. The second album was 2021’s “Together Again” extended play album. While the size is reduced, with five songs on the record, it is no less impactful. Released in late November of 2021, “Together Again” is more geared toward holiday listening. It features the Kingdom Choir’s take on songs like “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen,” “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” and “Go Tell It on the Mountain.” The group’s rich, layered harmonies and unmatched spiritual energy make its performances unforgettable. Indeed, the group’s performance at Mercyhurst will be an unparalleled experience. The concert will be a great way to beat the winter blues with the power of music, and you will not want to miss it. Ticket prices range from $20-$45, but Mercyhurst students receive a discount. Be sure to check out this once in a lifetime opportunity that is coming right to our community.