Fondly referred to as ‘the Godmother of British Gospel’ and known to millions, Karen Gibson, founder of Kingdom Choir shares her journey with the media as it celebrates its 30th Anniversary.

Who inspired the start of your singing journey? Your parents?
Karen Gibson (KG): No, not particularly. But I think my father played in a steel band group. Both he and my mum loved music. However, singing is not where I started. My mother was the catalyst for me and my sister, Kim, to take up musical instruments.

What of your other siblings? Are they musical?
KG: No, they’re not. My three older siblings live in the US, but my sister Kim and I live here.

THE CLASSICAL YEARS

KG: As life went along, my mum became a single parent. She was a staunch member of the Church of God of Prophecy (COGOP), Tooting branch, now known as Lynwood Christian Fellowship. Mum was amazing then – working three jobs at a time. I was around 10, Kim nine. We were often left alone and Mum decided to preoccupy us with a toy piano. We became sort of obsessed with it. Mum noticed how we picked out tunes and sent us to piano lessons. At the time we thought it was because Mum saw us as quite precocious and clever (soft laughter) but later we learned it was because she wanted to keep us out of ‘trouble’. It worked!

Did this spark your interest in singing at church?
KG: Not at all! Mine and Kim’s focus was on playing instruments. It truly works to encourage our young people to play instruments at an early age. At that time my piano teacher, Debbie Dunne, felt that Kim and I should take up a second instrument. This quest coincided with a friendship group comprising three of our dearest church sisters: Collette Blythe, and two sisters Elaine and Sharon Lobban. We played as an instrumental quintet group called Windsong. It was a deeply bonding time between us all.

There seems to be a deep bonding between the Kingdom Choir members today, too.
KG: There is, and it is like a family. Most of the 40 members I have known over many years. Normally we perform as 30 and I’m very privileged to lead them.

So, what made you move from playing musical instruments in Windsong to that which you’d previously steered clear of – singing? I’m sure nobody would believe there was a time when you didn’t like singing!
KG: Let me explain: What I heard – particularly in COGOP groups of the time (mid to late 1970s) – I definitely felt “I don’t want to do that.”  I feel terrible saying this, but it was the truth. I had an in-built natural standard and what I was hearing then wasn’t it. However, thinking back, this focus on instrumentation and classical music was very important to what we’re doing now.

THE SWITCH: PLAYING TO SINGING
KG: I can pinpoint when my whole interest switched. It happened when I heard The Winans Brothers – their first album.

That would have been around 1981. Introducing The Winans was released on Light Records, produced by Andraé Crouch.

KG: Yes, the first track on that is The Question Is. And what instrument is playing in the intro? Answer: the oboe, which I played. So, I learned that piece and somehow together we decided to learn the song – and found we naturally harmonised. By then we were joined by Carol Frith, who became my stepsister. We found a name: New Dawn. My love for ‘voice’ grew, and using instruments fizzled out as we remained with our singing.

30 YEARS AND THE FUTURE

 Are you OK with the Kingdom Choir being identified as a Black Gospel choir?
KG: We have a member who is not ‘Black’ in terms of skin hue. But I am quite comfortable with being identified as a Black Gospel choir. It’s our roots, our cultural identity.

How does 30 years feel to you?
KG: (Laughter) It makes me feel old! I never thought it would be this way. This whole journey, from Mum wanting us to keep out of trouble to us right now… The 30 years, therefore, have not just been about the Kingdom Choir’s success; it’s about every step of the way leading to here and now.

 You’ve announced The Kingdom Choir Foundation. What will it do?
KG: The foundation will do exactly what I have seen gospel music do over the years in people’s lives, particularly young people. There is scientific evidence of how singing and music affect and transform in every age range. This is simply what we believe we should do.

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