Kean Gospel Choir adds Radio City Music Hall to its resume

Since the beginning of 2018, the Kean Gospel Choir has won the McDonald’s Gospelfest for the third straight year, recorded and released their own single “Behold Him” on Amazon, hosted their own concert at the Agape House of Worship, and most recently, obtained a spot to perform at the Radio City Music Hall “Christmas Spectacular”.

The Kean Gospel Choir poses in anticipation of their single release. Photo Courtesy of Kean News.

The Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular is a decades-long tradition that takes place at the New York City landmark annually and stars the Rockettes, a dance company that stresses precision and uniformity. The choir is set to perform on the same stage as these historical dancers on Dec. 2.

The Kean Gospel Choir is an organization that focuses on the rehearsal and performance of both hymns and more contemporary gospel music. They sing at a variety of events inside and outside of campus, and accept any member regardless of religious devotion or musical talent. According to Shakira Jackson, the director of public relations for the choir, this particular performance opportunity was attained when they received an invitation to take the stage at the venue.

“Radio City Music Hall actually reached out to us through email. The representative from the show who does bookings informed us that someone recommended us,” Jackson said. “However, we don’t know who it was.”

The choir has already organized and finalized their set list for the night.

“We will be singing a medley produced by our director, Malcolm Evans,” Jackson said.

Jackson believes that this event marks a significant step forward for the group and will provide members with an experience most people will never have.

The choir sings at the 2017 McDonald’s Gospelfest. Photo Courtesy of Kean Gospel Choir.

“The choir hasn’t really had an opportunity like this before and it means so much to all of us in different ways,” Jackson said. “Of course it’s a way to expand the audience of our choir, but it is also just a chance to experience something that is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Thousands of people will hear our voices, and that’s just a pretty big deal.”

In light of the many other successes the group has experienced on top of this latest one, the choir is inspired to reach even higher. The members are in the process of devising further ways to spread their name and showcase their talents.

“Right now the choir’s mindset is ‘the sky’s the limit,’ so we are excitedly planning more new things. However, everyone will have to wait and see what we have in store,” Jackson said.

Meanwhile, they are looking to overall continue pushing their limits and making the most of their joint capabilities.

“I can only see the choir going even higher up from here. Soon you shall see us everywhere. The best is yet to come,” Jackson said.