Gospel Choir Featured First Time in British Coronation Ceremony

May 9, 2023196 views0

Gospel Choir Featured First Time in British Coronation Ceremony

2023-05-09T09:30:58+01:00

By Church News

For the first time in British history, the coronation included gospel music and the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla maintained many of the traditions of his ancestors. However, the new monarch was keen to ensure the service still represented modern Britain.It’s believed the King is an avid gospel music fan and he specifically requested a gospel choir perform.The song, Alleluia (O Sing Praises), written by composer Debbie Wiseman for the occasion, was originally going to be sung by the Westminster Abbey Choir.Instead, the first part included the original choir, and the second part was reworked for the Ascension Choir instead, led by Abimbola Amoako-Gyampah.Speaking to the Telegraph, Wiseman said that she was hand-picked by King Charles and “I was asked to write the music, so I’ve written a special piece for them and we’ve been rehearsing it together.“It’s the first time a gospel choir has ever performed at a Coronation. It’s fantastic, it will warm everyone’s hearts.”It’s not the first time the Ascension Choir has taken centre stage at a royal event. The eight performers previously sang at the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex at St George’s Chapel in Windsor as part of the Kingdom Choir.Organisers of the wedding said it was King Charles’ idea to include gospel music at the 2018 event also.ALSO READ: The NSPPD UK Prayer Conference with Pastor Jerry Eze