PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Choirs from churches all around Philadelphia will come together next week at the Kimmel Cultural Campus for the 10th year of A Soulful Christmas. Uniting gospel groups from area congregations under one roof, it’s what the season is all about: Love. Hope. Inspiration. Praise.
“It truly is transformative,” said Leslie Patterson-Tyler.
“I just feel like the arts have the power to bring people together, to uplift a community, to do things and say things that words often cannot, and bring people together in a very special and unique way.”
Patterson-Tyler is vice president of program communications and partnerships for the Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel.
A Soulful Christmas is a vision of soul-stirring music, spoken words and movement, brought to life by creator and director Dr. Donald Dumpson, who is celebrating 50 years of music ministry in Philadelphia.
“He curates a number of choirs from the community. It's a lot of different choirs, different faiths, all celebrating Christmas. And it's just an incredible experience.”
Kicking off on Tuesday night, Dec. 12, Verizon Hall will transform into a sanctuary, where visitors will be spiritually lifted with songs of hope and praise. And it’s not just song. The concert and celebration will also feature Citywide Praise Dancers and Universal African Dance and Drum Ensemble.
“So there's dance, there's drums, there's music, there's singing, and there's soul.”
Each year, an area musical legend is honored. This year, it’s Philadelphia’s Carol Antrom, a Gospel singer, songwriter, choir director, and elementary school teacher.
“She is a legend here in Philadelphia. And it's just the blessing that we'll be able to give her her flowers while she's still here with us,” Patterson-Tyler said.
Participating choirs include:
🎵 African Methodist Episcopal Church Mass Choir
🎵 Arch Street Presbyterian Church
🎵 Deliverance Evangelistic Church
🎵 Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church
🎵 Gospel Music Preservation Alliance
🎵 Mount Carmel Baptist Church
🎵 PA Commonwealth C.O.G.I.C. Mass Choir
🎵 Philadelphia Catholic Gospel Mass Choir
🎵 Philadelphia Heritage Chorale
🎵 A Soulful Christmas Youth Mass Choir