The Kingdom Choir
The Kingdom Choir is one of the UK and Europe 's leading exponents of traditional and contemporary gospel music. Led by renowned choir director and tutor, Karen Gibson, Kingdom Choir performances have included the Queens Jubilee celebrations, regular collaborations with pop luminaries such as Elton John as well as Gospel greats such as Andrae Crouch and Fred Hammond.
The Kingdom Choir mission is to spread the message of gospel music to a wider audience. This involves a commitment to explore musical avenues and empowering others to perform, whilst staying true to the core principle on which gospel music is founded.
The Kingdom Choir is a collective of outstanding singers drawn from various denominations in the South East area of England. They are a unique group of dedicated men and women, who blend Choral discipline with the raw Gospel spiritual sound - drawn from an inner experience.
They have appeared on premier religious radio and television broadcasts such as Songs of Praise, First Light, The Gospel Train, Premier Radio, Sunday Morning Worship on BBC Radio 2, have featured in the film 'Tube Tales', the TV series Maisie Raine, an Orange advert and on various CDs for UK artistes recordings and radio broadcasts.
In addition, the Kingdom Choir have featured in performances in some of the UKs most prestigious venues such as the Royal Albert Hall, St Paul's Cathedral, St Martins in the Field and the Millennium Dome. International travel includes Ireland, Hungary, Switzerland, Italy, Poland and Israel.
International artistes that the choir have performed with include Elton John, Luther Vandross, the Spice girls, Michael Ball, Leslie Garrett and Alexander O'Neal as well as Gospel greats Andrae Crouch, Fred Hammond, Donnie McClurkin, Helen Baylor, Alvin Slaughter and Jessy Dixon.
Testimonials:
Television
‘Thank you for your patience and your hard work: it was great to work with such a professional conductor and choir. I'm greatly encouraged and hope that we will be able to work together in the future.'
Diane Reid
Producer, Songs of Praise
‘ I have watched songs of praise for years...but the [programme] transmitted featuring your most wonderful choir, I think was a landmark - it was magnificent....'
Mark Rimmell
Film & Television Production Buyer
‘I wanted to send you a letter to say how fantastic you and the choir were on the Audience with Elton .... I thought [you] did great and I was thrilled....'
Les Moir
Kingsway Music
‘Once again it has been a great privilege and honour to be working with you and your anointed choir. Thank you for everything...'
Ken Burton
Director, London Adventist Chorale
Panel judge, Sainsbury's Choir of the Year
‘It has been absolutely wonderful to work with you...'
Gary Boon
Producer, Songs of Praise
‘...thank you and the Kingdom Choir for your splendid contribution to Minstrels in the Gallery...there really were no surprises when you won...you were head and shoulders above everyone else.'
Philip Billson
Producer, BBC Religion
'...Hi Kingdom Choir and Karen.
I'm really pleased that you guys won on Saturday. You are totally professional and a credit to gospel music in this country.
Not having had the benefit of your classical training I have to content myself in inhabiting the underworld that is the media, but you guys always gladden my heart and give me hope.
Keep up the good work and if you're ever in Shropshire, there's a warm welcome here.'
Tim Pemberton
Editor
BBC Radio Shropshire
‘Your performance at Stephen's Memorial Service was beautiful and inspirational. We would like to thank everyone in the Kingdom Choir for supporting the work that the trust has embarked upon...'
Caroline Deeds
Administrator, The Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust
‘[You] gave us such a lovely time here at the Richard Attenborough Centre. Thank-you. The workshop was well paced, illuminating, well structured and clearly taught. Most of all it was a joyous occasion. I had a girl who is partially deaf ask me to find her a singing teacher.'
Philip Herbert
Organising Tutor for Music
The Richard Attenborough Centre for Disability and the Arts
‘I thought the choir were wonderful and made a huge difference to the quality and the power of the evening's events. You all sang and performed to a very high standard indeed and with a forceful and moving commitment which touched everyone there...everyone I have spoken to has commented on how well you all sang and what a powerful contribution you made.
Chris Brice
Director, Christian Action and Response In Society (CARIS)
‘ Thank you so much for taking part again in the VSO Christmas Concert. The evening was a great success and the audience once again loved you!
Kate Thomas
VSO
‘..there's no doubting they are one of the UK 's top choirs. They have a vibrant and soulful sound. Their ability to handle difficult arrangements was highlighted by their rendition of [Purify]...a song with intricate harmonies and arrangements... the choir sang it beautifully to rousing applause.'
Marcia Dixon
The Voice
The Kingdom Choir...are innovative, professional as well as entertaining and they make good music. This performance was poetry in motion....
Tony Tomlin
New Nation
‘You guys did magnificently - very professional and spiritual. I am so glad you came...'
Reverend Steve Latham,
Westbourne Park Baptist Church
‘Thank you all very much for coming and sharing your time with us last Saturday. It was a very special evening...I was up in the balcony...[and was] able to have a look at the faces of the audience/congregation and I couldn't see anyone who you did not reach. God Bless you.'
Martin Burn,
Webmaster, Zion Baptist Church , Taunton , Somerset .
‘Well what can I say? What a fantastic night Saturday was .... People have not stopped talking about it .... You have really fired folks up here as well as bring the great news about Jesus to people who need to hear .... We had so many visitors on Saturday night and I have to say it was one of the most successful evangelistic events we have ever run here. People keep asking me when are you coming back ..... not to mention those who are kicking themselves for not buying a ticket!!!!'
Adrian Judd
Pastor, Cheam Baptist Church
‘Your singing and presentation of Gospel was absolutely infectious. ...by your leading and testimony through word and song, people could not help but respond so readily'.
Major Richard Mingay, The Salvation Army
‘Your performances were so uplifting and inspiring...Your christian witness is very powerful and I am sure that your ministry is one that touches many peoples' lives in a unique and special way...thank you so much for all your hard work in producing such fine singing....'
Noel H Tredinnick
Director and Founder,
All Souls Orchestra
'[My husband] and I would like ot convey a huge 'Thank you' to you and your team for a really outstanding and moving display of talent at our wedding... Absolutely everyone was truly delighted with the singing provided by the Kingdom Choir.'
‘ What can I say? There are no words to express the difference you all made to our special day. WOW! Thank-you, thank-you.'
Steve and Jacinta Garside
(Newly-weds)
‘Brilliant! Thank-you so much for making our day extra special'
Tim and Rachel Stokes
(Newly-weds)
