Free Concerts and Events
The Remnant Concert Choir of Mt. Ararat Baptist Church
The first runner-up in the 2009 Verizon “How Sweet the Sound” National Gospel Choir Competition, Pittsburgh’s massive, 65-member Remnant Concert Choir of Mt. Ararat Baptist Church offers a stirring tribute to Gospel mass choirs, under the leadership of Trini Lopez Massie.
Sat., Apr. 17, 2010, 6:00 PM
Free Millennium Stage Performance
Richard Smallwood & Vision
Howard University alumnus and Stellar, Dove (gospel music’s highest honors), and Grammy winner Richard Smallwood and his ensemble Vision bring the “Smallwood Sound”—a fusion of the Gospel, classical, pop and R&B styles.
Sun., Apr. 18, 2010, 6:00 PM
Free Millennium Stage Performance
Community-Wide Hymn Sing
Artistic Consultant for Joyful Sounds, Rev. Nolan Williams Jr.—the Chief Music Editor of the African American Heritage Hymnal and CEO of NEWorks Productions—leads a Community-Wide Hymn Sing featuring The Communitywide Hymn Sing Choir and the Hymn Choir of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church of Charlotte, North Carolina. Be a part of a 4,000-voice community choir that will fill the Grand Foyer.
Mon., Apr. 19, 2010, 6:00 PM
Free Millennium Stage Performance
The Campbell Brothers
In a celebration of traditional sacred forms, Rochester, New York’s The Campbell Brothers, 2004 NEA National Heritage Fellowship awardees, bring the sounds of sacred steel guitar—a rare music tradition rooted in the African American Holiness-Pentecostal church, also known as the House of God.
Tue., Apr. 20, 2010, 6:00 PM
Free Millennium Stage Performance
Maggie Ingram and the Ingramettes / Seven Sons of Soul
Gospel legends Maggie Ingram and the Ingramettes of Richmond, Virginia—who in 2008 celebrated their 52nd year in gospel music—and Washington, D.C.’s own Seven Sons of Soul perform in a tribute to the golden era of gospel.
Wed., Apr. 21, 2010, 6:00 PM
Free Millennium Stage Performance
Fisk University Jubilee Singers
Based in Nashville, 2008 NEA National Medal of Arts awardees Fisk University Jubilee Singers—whose original lineup introduced “slave songs” to the world in 1871—are instrumental in preserving the unique American musical tradition known today as Negro spirituals.
Thu., Apr. 22, 2010, 6:00 PM
Free Millennium Stage Performance
The Sweet Heaven Kings / Todd Ledbetter Gospel Jazz Quartet
In a celebration of gospel jazz and brass, The Sweet Heaven Kings—a 16-member gospel brass and percussion band from Anacostia’s United House of Prayer—and the Todd Ledbetter Gospel Jazz Quartet—led by the veteran jazz saxophonist—use their instruments as unique and powerful “voices.”
Fri., Apr. 23, 2010, 6:00 PM
Free Millennium Stage Performance
WPAS Children of the Gospel Choir and JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise
WPAS Children of the Gospel Choir and the Stellar Award–winning contemporary gospel ensemble, Youthful Praise, led by JJ Hairston, join forces for a celebration of contemporary gospel music.
Sat., Apr. 24, 2010, 6:00 PM
Free Millennium Stage Performance
The Clark Sisters
Joyful Sounds closes with a performance by Detroit-based Grammy Award winners The Clark Sisters, credited for helping to bring gospel music to the mainstream and considered pioneers of contemporary gospel.
Sun., Apr. 25, 2010, 6:00 PM
Free Millennium Stage Performance
